Bangkok police have arrested four foreign nationals after an undercover operation targeting an alleged counterfeit scam, described by police as “black money” which claimed ordinary paper could be turned into genuine US dollar notes. The arrests followed a demonstration arranged with officers posing as wealthy visitors at a luxury-car event in Bangkok. Police say the suspects sought 150,000 baht to release what they claimed was US$6 million, in cash. Undercover officers targeted at luxury-car show The operation, named "Deception within Deception", took place at about 5pm on 1 August. It followed an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau's drug suppression centre into a transnational narcotics network, according to Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thamsuthee, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. On 26 July, officers following a suspected key figure in the Nana area attended a luxury-car gathering in Bangkok while posing as prospective buyers. Police said the suspects offered to arrange funds for the officers to buy a high-end vehicle. Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid They allegedly said their US$6 million cash supply was held by customs and asked the supposed buyers to provide 150,000 baht for an under-the-table payment. In return, they promised a 40 per cent share of their system of converting blank paper into genuine US dollar bills. Pol Maj Gen Theeradet led the 1 August operation alongside Pol Col Worapoj Rungkranjang, Pol Lt Col Manoch Thongkaew, Pol Lt Col Thanyaprisit Chulapipob and Pol Capt Lertwarit Worapreecha. The wider operation was under the command of national police chief Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, deputy chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma, Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom and deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Phallop Aemla. Paper, chemicals and alleged fake-note evidence seized Police arrested Remy, 35, a Liberian national, on an allegation of participation in a criminal organisation. David, 40, also Liberian, was charged with the same offence and with staying in Thailand without permission. Two Cameroonian women were subsequently arrested at a Hua Mak property: Nagua, 35, for being in Thailand without permission, and Kaesia, 21, for remaining after her permission to stay had expired. Officers seized 11 notes resembling US$100 bills, three chemically coated counterfeit notes, 60,000 blank banknote-sized sheets, four bottles of unidentified liquid, which is being tested, various conversion equipment and three mobile phones. Police said the phones contained videos of alleged counterfeit-dollar production and counterfeit scam methods. At Remy's Lasalle Road room, officers found the 60,000 prepared sheets, which police said could have been intended for fake notes. Searches of David's Hua Mak room found alleged fake notes and other evidence. Police said the demonstration used pre-treated paper and a liquid presented as a special chemical. They allege it was simply vitamin C dissolved in water, used to remove a coating and reveal a genuine note hidden underneath. Remy denied the allegation, saying he did not know about the case. David confessed, police said, admitting the demonstration was intended to persuade victims to hand over assets before contact was cut off. He also said he had paid a printing shop at about noon on 1 August to cut blank paper to banknote size. The suspects and exhibits were sent to Makkasan and Hua Mak police stations for legal proceedings. Join the discussion? 3 August 2026
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