Two Chinese nationals and a Thai woman have been arrested in Chiang Mai, charged with coercing a housemaid to use her bank account for illicit transactions. The suspects, 31-year-old Ji and Penhyu from China, along with Ji's Thai girlfriend Apinya, reportedly forced the maid by holding her children hostage. The arrests ensued after the victim managed to seek police assistance.

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Authorities revealed that Apinya had posted a deceptive job advertisement online, promising a lucrative salary for housemaid work. The victim responded and arranged to meet, unaware of the trap laid by the suspects. Upon arrival, she and her children were driven to a house within Chiang Mai's Mueang district, where they were separated, and she was coerced into surrendering her bank account details due to fears for her children's safety.

Over 100,000 baht was transferred into the victim's account, with instructions to retransfer the amount. However, the electronic transaction was blocked due to its size. When taken to a bank to withdraw the funds, the victim alerted bank staff, prompting the suspects to flee. The police were able to apprehend all three suspects later at a city-centre residence.

Ji and Penhyu confessed to the crime, while Apinya denied involvement and expressed her intent to contest the charges. Investigations uncovered that the group had committed similar crimes previously and engaged in money laundering activities, particularly converting scammed funds into gold. Authorities continue their probe to identify if there are additional accomplices involved.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 30 Apr 2026

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If the reports are accurate, it’s not just a simple case of fraud and coercion.

These criminals' actions might also include kidnapping or unlawful detention as well. And it appears this is not the first time they've committed criminal acts.

Depending on how seriously the law treats these collective offences, it could involve some serious jail time.

Is now up to investigators to dig deeper to see whether they were acting alone or as part of something bigger.