Region 2 Police Smash Call Centre Gang, Return Money to Victims

Picture courtesy of Daily News

As part of the crackdown on cybercrime, Region 2 police have dismantled a call centre syndicate that used so-called “mule accounts” to swindle victims, recovering and freezing more than 1.5 million baht. The operation, code-named “Hunt the Mules, Recover the Cash”, saw six suspects arrested and two fraud victims reunited with their stolen funds.

The coordinated raids, carried out on 29 August in Chachoengsao, were launched under the directive of National Police Chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet and Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, in line with the government’s tough stance on technology-related crime. Region 2 Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepjamnong oversaw the mission, with tactical units from the Investigation Division targeting gang members as they attempted to withdraw stolen money from local bank branches.

Four suspects acting as cash handlers and two account holders were detained at a shopping centre, caught red-handed withdrawing 770,000 baht. A further 790,000 baht was frozen in linked mule accounts, pending return to other victims.

The group now faces charges of conspiracy to defraud the public, computer crime offences, technology crime, organised crime, and money laundering.

Investigations revealed that the gang operated a sophisticated scam, phoning victims while impersonating bank staff and mobile phone operators, before transferring the call to fraudsters posing as police officers. Victims were falsely told their ID cards had been used to open accounts linked to government corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering, leaving them terrified into transferring large sums.

One victim, Ms Amporn, was duped into transferring 270,000 baht, while another, Mr Sukulphat, lost 1 million baht in two separate transfers. Both were able to recover a portion of their stolen funds: Ms Amporn receiving her entire 270,000 baht and Mr Sukulphat 500,000 baht, presented to them directly by Region 2 police on 29 August.

“This operation highlights not only the determination to dismantle online crime networks but also our commitment to restoring public confidence by returning stolen assets,” said Pol Maj Gen Teerachai Chamnarnmor, head of Region 2 Investigations.

While the two victims were fortunate to see their money returned, police noted that most victims are not so lucky, as funds are typically moved rapidly through international networks, making recovery almost impossible.

The Region 2 success story is being hailed as a rare but significant win against the fast-growing menace of call centre fraud in Thailand.

Relate article:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1371563-police-bust-“bank-account-mule”-gang-seize-cash/

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-09-02