Cyber police have dismantled a Chinese scam gang that used video calls to intimidate victims into withdrawing and delivering cash, causing losses of more than 9.2 million baht. Three Chinese suspects were arrested and assets, including cryptocurrency, were seized and frozen. The operation was announced on 19 February by Pol Maj Gen Chatchaphan Klaisang, Deputy Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, and Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor, Commander of CCIB Division 1.

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Police said the case began when a male victim was contacted by fraudsters posing as mobile phone network staff. He was told his SIM card had been used for criminal activity and was instructed to add a Line account to speak with a fake police officer. During video calls, the suspects allegedly threatened him and ordered him not to inform anyone, convincing him to transfer money twice for “verification”, totalling more than 170,000 baht.

The gang later changed tactics, directing the victim to withdraw cash and leave it at specified locations, including outside his home and at shopping centres. The suspects monitored him via video call throughout and sent a masked individual to collect the money. Over seven further transactions, the victim handed over more than 9 million baht in cash.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

When the scammers demanded additional transfers, the victim reported the matter to cyber police. Officers set up a sting operation at a shopping centre car park in the Lat Phrao area, where they arrested a 27-year-old Chinese national collecting cash. Police said he had been recruited via the Telegram application, was paid in USDT cryptocurrency and acted as a courier delivering funds to the gang’s leader.

Further investigation revealed that the proceeds were transferred through mule accounts before being used to purchase gold, which was then sold to convert the money into cryptocurrency for laundering. Officers obtained a search warrant for a property on Yen Chit Road in Sathorn district, where they arrested two additional Chinese suspects. Digital devices, cryptocurrency account evidence and extensive digital wallet data were seized.

The Daily News reported that the suspects face charges of joint public fraud and importing false computer data. Authorities are continuing to expand the investigation to track down all accomplices, examine financial routes, locate other victims and freeze assets for return to the victims.

Key Takeaways

• Cyber police arrested three Chinese suspects over a scam that caused losses exceeding 9.2 million baht.

• Victims were intimidated via video calls and ordered to deliver cash, monitored in real time.

• Funds were allegedly laundered through mule accounts, gold purchases and cryptocurrency conversion.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 20 Feb 2026

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For Chinese nationals convicted of scamming in Thailand, the result shouldn't just be a few years in a Thai jail.

These low-life need to be handed straight over to Chinese authorities to deal with!

China has demonstrated that they have zero tolerance for their nationals running intimidation scams from abroad.

While they may get a light sentence in Thailand for "computer crimes", they would face a fast worse fate in China.

If Thailand wants to reduce its fraud losses to Chinese scammers, deport them back home to face their own country’s much harsher justice system.

That may well be the only deterrent that will actually make these scum think twice about coming to Thailand!

A Web search has revealed that the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) implemented a "Fast-Track Repatriation" framework. This agreement allows member states like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia to bypass lengthy extradition hearings, ensuring scammers arrested in Thailand are deported to their home countries for prosecution within 30 days. See https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.thesoutheastasiadesk.com/p/asean-seals-landmark-extradition%23:~:text%3DPhilippine%2520Information%2520Agency%2520President%2520Marcos,%25F0%259F%2594%258D%2520Why%2520It%2520Matters&ved=2ahUKEwjU9_LlyOaSAxVrnmMGHWOWAMsQ1fkOegQIBhAC&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw0K0GWWlyVE1GV_5y-CEKou&ust=1771625331825000

Just how dumb was the guy who got scammed? It’s hard to believe that he would do the things described in the article . SMH

On 2/19/2026 at 10:13 PM, Jim Waldron said:

For Chinese nationals convicted of scamming in Thailand, the result shouldn't just be a few years in a Thai jail.

These low-life need to be handed straight over to Chinese authorities to deal with!

China has demonstrated that they have zero tolerance for their nationals running intimidation scams from abroad.

While they may get a light sentence in Thailand for "computer crimes", they would face a fast worse fate in China.

If Thailand wants to reduce its fraud losses to Chinese scammers, deport them back home to face their own country’s much harsher justice system.

That may well be the only deterrent that will actually make these scum think twice about coming to Thailand!

A Web search has revealed that the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) implemented a "Fast-Track Repatriation" framework. This agreement allows member states like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia to bypass lengthy extradition hearings, ensuring scammers arrested in Thailand are deported to their home countries for prosecution within 30 days. See https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.thesoutheastasiadesk.com/p/asean-seals-landmark-extradition%23:~:text%3DPhilippine%2520Information%2520Agency%2520President%2520Marcos,%25F0%259F%2594%258D%2520Why%2520It%2520Matters&ved=2ahUKEwjU9_LlyOaSAxVrnmMGHWOWAMsQ1fkOegQIBhAC&opi=89978449&cd&psig=AOvVaw0K0GWWlyVE1GV_5y-CEKou&ust=1771625331825000

I agree- the Chinese do not mess around if they feel that the reputation of China is going to be harmed

How many transactions did it take to call police. Either very dumb or bent trying to avoid police involvement until it got out of hand. Fishy me thinks.