CIB Dismantles Migrant Work-Permit Fraud Ring in Nakhon Pathom

Pictures courtesy of CIB

Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers have broken up a large-scale syndicate accused of deceiving employers and migrant workers with fake work-permit services, uncovering more than 50 million baht in circulated funds. Two suspects, Mr Saharat, 28 and Mr Natthaphon, 29, were arrested at a residence in Bang Pla, Bang Len district, Nakhon Pathom, under Criminal Court warrants 4791/2568 and 5389/2568. Both face charges of jointly advertising the recruitment of migrant workers without permission, public fraud and entering false data into a computer system.

The case began in March 2025 when business owners and Myanmar migrant workers filed complaints alleging that the suspects’ company falsely claimed it could renew work permits. Officers found that the suspects had created convincing social media adverts and a dedicated fake website, complete with sample card images, to lure victims. Initial investigations confirmed systematic wrongdoing and led police to identify a wider organised network.

Investigators discovered a structured operation involving recruiters who contacted victims and collected payments, along with “mule accounts” used to receive transferred funds. Officers from Subdivision 5 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) gathered evidence and secured 11 arrest warrants for two recruiters and nine account holders. A search warrant from the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Court enabled police to raid the targeted property, where the two main suspects had been hiding.

Financial checks indicated more than 50 million baht in circulation through the company and linked accounts. Police also found that the suspects had used passport data from deceived migrant workers to open bank accounts under other people’s names, later selling these accounts to operators of online gambling platforms. The scheme caused widespread financial damage worth several million baht, prompting officers to seize a range of related evidence during the raid.

Both suspects denied all charges during initial questioning. They were handed over to investigators at Subdivision 5, ATPD, for further legal action. The operation was conducted under the direction of Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai, Commissioner of the CIB, and Pol Maj Gen Wittaya Sriprasertphap, ATPD Commander, with operational oversight from Acting Pol Lt Col Pannasawadee Khloi-rayap and officers from Subdivision 5.

Further investigations are expected to continue as authorities assess the full scale of the network and trace additional financial links. Police are also examining the potential involvement of other individuals connected to the misuse of migrant workers’ personal data. Additional arrests and asset seizures may follow as the inquiry progresses.

Key Takeaways

• Police arrested two suspects accused of running a fraudulent migrant work-permit operation with more than 50 million baht in financial circulation.

• Investigators found the network used fake websites, social media adverts, and mule accounts opened using stolen passport data.

• Further investigations are under way, with police expecting to uncover more individuals and financial links.

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from CIB 2025-11-16