Police Arrest Mule-Account Holder in Video-Call Extortion Case

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Police have arrested a man accused of allowing his bank account to be used by a call-centre gang that blackmailed a middle-aged victim using an explicit video call. The operation followed a complaint from the victim, who said he was coerced into paying 500,000 baht after being secretly recorded during a sexually explicit online conversation. Officers later traced the transferred money to the suspect’s bank account.

The arrest took place on 14 November under orders from Pol Maj Gen Theerachat Theerachatthamrong, Commander of the Police Commando Division. A team led by Pol Col Chanakrit Phongsiri and Pol Lt Col Atchawin Attawee detained Mr Amnat, 49, at Wat Na Phra Meru in Lam Phli, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, under Criminal Court warrant No. จ.401/2568 dated 4 June. He was wanted on charges of allowing another person to use his bank or electronic account for offences involving technology-related crime.

The case began when the victim reported that he had video-called a woman via the Line application after meeting her through a Facebook page that shared sexually suggestive content. During the call he exposed himself, unaware that the woman was recording the encounter for blackmail purposes. The gang threatened repeatedly to publish the footage online unless he paid large sums, ultimately extorting a total of 500,000 baht.

Investigators reviewed evidence and traced the victim’s payments to a bank account in Mr Amnat’s name, prompting them to seek and obtain the arrest warrant. Officers determined that the account was used to receive funds linked to the extortion scheme. The inquiry also suggested the involvement of foreign nationals connected to the wider call-centre network carrying out similar operations.

During questioning, Mr Amnat admitted he had opened the bank account for a foreigner in exchange for a fee of 3,000 baht. He denied direct involvement in the extortion but acknowledged providing access to the account used by the criminals. Police said his admission supported earlier findings that the account was intentionally offered for illicit use.

Daily News reported that Mr Amnat was handed over to investigators at Saladaeng Police Station to face legal action. Authorities are expected to continue examining financial records to identify additional individuals involved in the extortion gang. Further arrests could follow as the investigation expands to uncover the broader network behind the scam.

Key Takeaways

• A 49-year-old man was arrested for allowing his bank account to be used in a 500,000-baht video-call extortion scheme.

• The victim was blackmailed after being secretly recorded during an explicit Line video call initiated through a Facebook page.

• Police are continuing to investigate the wider call-centre network and expect to identify more suspects.

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Dailynews 2025-11-16