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Thai Workers Tricked into Cambodia Forced to Open ‘Mule Accounts

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Pictures courtesy of Naewna

 

Twenty Thai nationals have been detained after fleeing forced labour conditions in Poipet, Cambodia, where they were allegedly coerced by scam networks into scanning their faces to open fraudulent bank accounts. The group was intercepted at around 00:30 on 24 November near Ban Non Patthana in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo, by the Aranyaprathet Special Task Force and the 12th Ranger Regiment. Soldiers found the 20 individuals, 13 men and 7 women, hiding in a sugarcane field after allegedly crossing back into Thailand through natural border routes.

 

Col Chainarong Kasi, commander of the Aranyaprathet Special Task Force and Col Phongsakorn Sue-ngam, commander of the 12th Ranger Regiment, led the operation as part of ongoing patrols to block illegal border crossings. Authorities said the group entered Thailand illegally and showed signs of distress, with some claiming they had been physically assaulted. Their accounts indicated they had been lured by promises of jobs in Sa Kaeo offering salaries of 15,000–25,000 baht, without being told what work they would be doing.


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According to questioning, upon arriving in Aranyaprathet the group was immediately transported across the border to Poipet, where they were confined in rooms. They were then forced to use their phones to open bank accounts under their names, with Chinese supervisors allegedly issuing the orders. Several members of the group said they were beaten for refusing to comply.

 

After completing the required facial scanning and account-opening procedures, the workers were abandoned near the border and instructed to walk back into Thailand through natural crossings. They reported receiving no assistance or payment and were waiting beside a sugarcane field when soldiers discovered them. Authorities seized 21 mobile phones believed to have been used in the mule-account scheme.

 

Naewna reported that rangers handed the 20 Thai nationals and the confiscated phones to investigators at Khlong Nam Sai Police Station in Sa Kaeo. Police will proceed with legal action for illegal entry and will extend the investigation to identify the scam network responsible for the trafficking and account fraud.

 

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Key Takeaways

 

• Twenty Thai nationals fled Poipet after being forced to open mule bank accounts under scam operations.

• Victims said they were lured with false job offers, confined, and some assaulted by Chinese handlers.

• The group was detained by Thai rangers and handed to police for legal processing and investigation.

 

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image.png Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Naewna 2025-11-25


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