Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Police have arrested five suspects accused of posing as lawyers and defrauding a female business owner of nearly 16 million baht in a land dispute case. The arrests were announced on 29 January 2026 by Region 5 Provincial Police, marking a major crackdown on online fraud targeting high-value victims. Authorities said the suspects allegedly exploited legal disputes to extract repeated payments over a short period.

The operation was led by Police Lieutenant General Kritthapol Yeesakorn, Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, alongside Deputy Commissioner Major General Thawatchai Phongwiwatchai and cybercrime investigators. The suspects were arrested under warrants issued by the Mae Sariang Provincial Court. They face multiple charges including public fraud, misuse of bank accounts, and entering false information into computer systems in a manner likely to cause public harm.

The case stems from a complaint filed in late 2025 by a Chiang Mai-based businesswoman who purchased land in Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son province. After discovering the land did not match the agreed terms, she sought advice online. Investigators said this led to contact from a husband-and-wife, who were leading a fraud team and that claimed to be part of a well-known legal group.

According to police, the pair arranged meetings in Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, presenting themselves as legal experts capable of resolving the dispute. They allegedly persuaded the victim to transfer money to support legal proceedings and influence the case outcome. Over a two-month period, the victim made 97 transfers totalling 15.9 million baht, selling property and assets to fund the payments.

The suspects include four men from Phetchabun province aged between 33 and 54, and a 26-year-old woman from Ubon Ratchathani. Police said the woman had six prior fraud-related cases, while her partner had five, including involvement in illegal gambling schemes. She was already detained in Phitsanulok prison on a separate fraud charge at the time of the announcement.

During the arrests, officers seized seven mobile phones, two bank passbooks, one ATM card, a laptop, two cars, a tractor, 12 gold jewellery items and related documents. Three suspects admitted allowing their bank accounts to be used, while one denied knowledge of the fraud despite accompanying the main suspect. Police said they do not accept the denial and will proceed with prosecution.

Daily News reported that investigators are continuing legal proceedings and examining whether additional victims or accomplices are involved. All suspects have been handed over to investigators along with seized evidence for further action under the law.

Key Takeaways

• Five suspects were arrested for allegedly posing as lawyers to defraud a Chiang Mai businesswoman of 15.9 million baht.

• The victim made 97 transfers over two months after being promised help in a land dispute in Mae Sariang.

• Police seized vehicles, electronics, bank materials, and jewellery as part of the investigation.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-01-30

 

 

A fool and their money are easily parted.

A Business woman. No hope for her business.

She made 97 transfers over two months, a minimum of one daily yet was not suspicious?

I acted for a client many years ago - where she had been duped by a fake firm of Solicitors- they even had a High Street office complete with Legal Aid logos embossed on the windows

If a fraudster has the b**ls they can try it on and many people will be easily fooled- especially if they do not use Lawyers with any regularity

4 hours ago, CFCol said:

A fool and their money are easily parted.

A Business woman. No hope for her business.

"A fool and their money are soon parted"

So true... but it has always seemed strange to me how they got together in the first place.