Thai Tourist Police involved with ATM skimming gang sacked

[webfact]

Tourist police involved with ATM skimming gang sacked
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 20 - Thailand's Tourism Police have sacked an officer arrested for involvement in a transnational ATM skimming gang.

Tourist Police Division Commander Pol Maj Gen Apichai Thi-amart said Pol Sen Sgt Maj Nontapan Saengsuk, 37, a Tourist Police officer, was dismissed from the agency following his arrest.

Pol Sen Sgt Maj Nontapan was caught in Nakhon Ratchasima, together with two Russian men using an ATM 'skimmer' to hack information from their victims' credit cards and making counterfeit credit cards to withdraw cash from ATMs. Some Bt2.8 million cash and 328 counterfeit credit cards were also seized.

The Thai police officer served as driver who took the Russians to withdraw money from ATMs, for which he received 10 per cent of the cash.

Pol Maj Gen Apichai said a probe committee has been set up to investigate the alleged malfeasance of the officer, and his superiors for negligence in supervising their subordinates. The probe is intended to discover if more police officers are involved as accomplices.

They will have 30 days to explain their actions to the committee, Gen Apichai said, adding that disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty.

Sen Sgt Maj Nontapan was a tourist police officer for almost seven years and performed in many cases, he said.

Gen Apichai said the national police chief has instructed him to supervise the tourist police agency more carefully and said that he will convene a meeting of his subordinates on Saturday. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-20

[mca]

I cant see the problem. I think the officer should be commended for doing his duty and assisting two foreign tourists in using a Thai atm. Why he even supplied a car to drive them around. Now Thats service!

[webfact]

Police officer sacked for helping Russian duo
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Tourist Police Division chief Maj-General Apichai Theamart said yesterday that Senior Sgt-Major Nonthapan Saengsuk, 37, had been sacked for allegedly helping two Russian criminals, who are believed to have used fake debit and credit cards to withdraw money. He said a disciplinary probe has also been launched to investigate the officer's superiors.

Nonthapan was arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima along with Russian suspects Vasily Ivanoff, 27, and Serge Peterneff, 38, for allegedly conspiring to use fake credit and debit cards to withdraw more than Bt2.9 million from ATM machines across the provincial capital.

The suspects also had in possession more than Bt2.9 million in cash that they had allegedly withdrawn over the past week as well as 328 counterfeit ATM cards.

A subsequent search of the Russian suspects' hotel rooms in Bangkok also turned up more than Bt1.5 million in cash, 31 fake credit cards and evidence suggesting that Ivanoff may have withdrawn about Bt65 million since arriving in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Nakhon Ratchasima police have launched a manhunt for more accomplices - possibly foreigners.


-- The Nation 2013-11-20

[clockman]

That unique Thainess!

[Bluespunk]

"The probe is intended to discover if more police officers are involved as accomplices."

Shouldn't that read "how many" instead of "if"?

[Bluespunk]

"evidence suggesting that Ivanoff may have withdrawn about Bt65 million since arriving in Thailand."

Wow.

[yooper2001]

I wonder how many of the police in the photo never took a bribe or skimmed money from business's or was involved in a helmet checking point collecting weekend pocket money. My guess is every one

[Bender]

i am pretty sure that the foreign bank will be glad to learn that the main culprit, a police officer, is actually walking free

and ready to skim again...

[Gsxrnz]

i am pretty sure that the foreign bank will be glad to learn that the main culprit, a police officer, is actually walking free

and ready to skim again...

Bender, I object to your use of the term "police officer" to describe the culprit. I object because in the English language, police officer implies a person that can be trusted, has morals and ethics, and will aid you in times of need.

Much better to refer to him as a BIB or a member of the RTP - that leaves no room for misinterpretation.

Edited November 20, 2013 by Gsxrnz

[johnlandy]

Is this actually news? Is anyone actually surprised?

TIT "this is Thailand.

[PaullyW]

good

Edited November 20, 2013 by PaullyW

[JRSoul]

i am pretty sure that the foreign bank will be glad to learn that the main culprit, a police officer, is actually walking free

and ready to skim again...

Where is it stated that he will walk free and not be prosecuted?

[unanimosity]

I cant see the problem. I think the officer should be commended for doing his duty and assisting two foreign tourists in using a Thai atm. Why he even supplied a car to drive them around. Now Thats service!

He is no doubt a role model for all of his colleagues and the public at large.

[ratcatcher]

i am pretty sure that the foreign bank will be glad to learn that the main culprit, a police officer, is actually walking free

and ready to skim again...

It doesn't say he's walking free and ready to skim again.

He has been dismissed from the Tourist Police Force.

Now, being under arrest, he awaits disciplinary action, whatever that is.

[WitawatWatawit]

"evidence suggesting that Ivanoff may have withdrawn about Bt65 million since arriving in Thailand."

Wow.

If that figure is correct, the skim crims will descend on Thailand like locusts. Maybe the banks need to get their collective heads together to find a solution to this problem. Maybe hire more police to patrol ATMs?

[coma]

The probe is intended to discover if more police officers are involved as accomplices.

I eagerly await the results of said probe. More than probable will be fruitless and we will hear nothing more of the matter.

[coma]

i am pretty sure that the foreign bank will be glad to learn that the main culprit, a police officer, is actually walking free

and ready to skim again...

It doesn't say he's walking free and ready to skim again.

He has been dismissed from the Tourist Police Force.

Now, being under arrest, he awaits disciplinary action, whatever that is.

Maybe a hefty fine paid to his superiors will be sufficient disciplinary action.

[mca]

Police officers eagerly wait their turn to ask the culprits for in-depth details on how to skim an ATM and the best places to pick up a piece of the action.

Edited November 20, 2013 by mca

[patekatek]

Since so many of the scams involving ATMs and internet rip-offs are committed by Russians and Nigerians, I think the Thai government should consider a special 500 baht fee for travellers arriving from Russia and Nigeria to help offset the cost of arresting them and housing them in a Thai jail. This 500 baht fund would fit nicely with the 500 baht medical expense fee they are proposing.

[Andre0720]

I wonder how many of the police in the photo never took a bribe or skimmed money from business's or was involved in a helmet checking point collecting weekend pocket money. My guess is every one

Skimming money and helmet checking...huhhh.

Might as well add ''going through a red light''...

[attento]

The second photo shows at least 4 suspects handcuffed, so what is the story about 2 arrested Russians ? Who are the others ?

None of them look much like the 2 suspects in the first photo.

Edited November 20, 2013 by attento

[bangkokheat]

is the thai tourist police in the pic?

[bushwacker]

Ok Boys ... you have 30 days to get your stories straight and line up your defense. Pay off any witnesses you need. And most important remember that in 30 days everyone will have forgotten this story .... so ..... blah, blah, blah!

[BKKdreaming]

sometimes you wonder what will happen next and will anyone really care ?

the scams keep on coming !

and the police all look the other way for a slice

[ezzra]

I'm in shock, unbelievable, it can't be, impossible, I can't happened,, hang on,, wait a minute,

I forgot, this is Thailand and this is the Thai police...

[Lupatria]

Where I come from there are cops and robbers. Over here it is more streamlined. Another version of two in one?

[JohanBKK]

I've been robbed of 60 000 by these fellows...

[Manbing]

Oh NO, say it isn't so. This is unbelievable. Well one rotten apple doesn't spoil the whole barrel...Does it?

[mca]

I've been robbed of 60 000 by these fellows...

Spill the beans mate!

[ratcatcher]

I've been robbed of 60 000 by these fellows...

Robbed by these fellows? Who, the police or the ones in handcuffs?

Off to Korat then with evidence and claim. Take your friendly lawyer. Good luck.

Edited November 20, 2013 by ratcatcher