Two Arrested for Fake Tea Brand Scam With 10M Daily Withdrawals

Picture courtesy of Matichon

Authorities have arrested two members of a criminal gang that impersonated the famous Cha Tra Mue brand to defraud investors. The suspects, Mr. Somchai, 27 and Mr. Mongkol, 43, were apprehended in Bangkok on October 11, 2025, after managing “mule accounts” that withdrew more than 10 million baht daily. Both suspects have confessed to their roles in the operation.

The scam involved creating a fake Facebook page of the Cha Tra Mue brand and running online advertisements inviting people to invest. Initially, the group paid real returns to build trust, convincing victims to invest more money before disappearing with the funds. Numerous victims reported losses across multiple districts, prompting authorities to issue multiple arrest warrants for those involved.

Police, acting on instructions from Pol. Maj. Gen. Chananat Sarthawanphat, traced Somchai and Mongkol in Bangkok. Somchai was arrested outside Suthisan Police Station in Din Daeng district, while Mongkol was apprehended in front of a mansion in Huamark district, Bang Kapi. Investigators found they were responsible for managing mule accounts and withdrawing cash from various banks across the city.

During questioning, Somchai admitted that he transported funds from mule accounts to unofficial cryptocurrency exchanges in Huai Khwang district, earning 3,000–5,000 baht per day. Mongkol acknowledged coordinating ATM withdrawals using QR codes, which were scanned remotely by mule accounts to facilitate cash transfers to accomplices. Both suspects have been handed over to the Technology Crime Suppression Division (Krong 3, BPP) for legal proceedings.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the network, identifying additional members and tracing the full scale of the financial loss. The public is advised to verify online investment opportunities and report suspicious activity to police.

Key Takeaways

• Two suspects were arrested for running a fake Cha Tra Mue investment scam, managing daily withdrawals exceeding 10 million baht.

• Somchai and Mongkol coordinated mule accounts and cash withdrawals, transferring funds to illicit cryptocurrency exchanges.

• Both have confessed and are under investigation by the Technology Crime Suppression Division.

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-10-12