Police Region 5 Busts Bank Mule Gang in Lampang

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Police Region 5 has arrested nine suspects linked to a so-called “bank mule stable” gang accused of opening accounts for fraud and withdrawing stolen cash, disrupting an alleged scam operation in Lampang province. Officers say the group recruited individuals to open bank accounts before escorting them to multiple ATMs to withdraw cash for onward transfer.

The arrests were announced on 19 December by Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Phongwiwatchai, Deputy Commander of Police Region 5, who led a technology crime suppression team alongside Lampang provincial investigators. Police said the suspects were caught following reports of scam victims whose money had been withdrawn from a bank branch in Lampang.

According to investigators, the case began after police learned that a group of scammers had defrauded victims and withdrawn cash at a bank in Lampang province. CCTV footage from the bank and nearby areas showed three suspects arriving together, led by Mr Wanchalerm, a resident of Phrae province identified as the holder of a mule account, accompanied by two men acting as a driver and minder.

Further investigation revealed the group had booked rooms at a hotel in Mueang district, Lampang. Police raided the hotel and arrested a total of nine suspects at the location, seizing evidence linked to the alleged withdrawals.

During questioning, all suspects reportedly confessed to being part of a “bank mule stable” gang. Police said the operation involved a controller who transported account holders to withdraw cash from ATMs of various banks. After cash withdrawals, the money was deposited into CDM machines to transfer funds onward, investigators said. Officers seized more than 360,000 baht in cash as evidence during the operation.

All suspects have been charged with participation in a criminal association under Section 209 of the Criminal Code, along with other related criminal offences. Police said the suspects and seized evidence were handed over to investigators at Mueang Lampang Police Station for further legal proceedings.

Daily News reported that authorities said the investigation is ongoing and that officers will expand inquiries to identify additional individuals connected to the network. Police Region 5 stated that efforts to combat technology-related crime and financial fraud will continue, particularly crimes involving bank mule accounts.

Key Takeaways

• Police Region 5 arrested nine suspects linked to a bank mule gang in Lampang on 19 December.

• Investigators seized more than 360,000 baht and charged the suspects under Section 209 of the Criminal Code.

• Police are expanding the investigation to identify other individuals connected to the network.

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-21