Thai police arrest scam gang after student loses 1.2 million baht

Thai police have arrested two suspects following a call center scam that targeted a 19-year-old university student. The operation resulted in the theft of 1.2 million baht and the prevention of a second 1.3 million baht loss.

The scam unfolded on October 3 when the victim was contacted by individuals posing as high-ranking police officers and financial investigators from the Anti-Money Laundering Office. The scammers falsely claimed the student’s bank account was linked to illegal funds, pressuring him to hand over cash to clear his name.

The student initially withdrew 1.2 million baht from a Government Savings Bank branch in a Pathum Thani shopping mall and handed the cash to a suspect in a car park. When the student returned to the bank to withdraw an additional 1.3 million baht, observant bank staff noticed he appeared anxious and was on a video call. They alerted authorities, preventing the second transaction.

Police conducted a sting operation, arresting a Thai national, 25-year-old Kachaphong, who was caught with the initial 1.2 million baht. Following a planned meeting, officers also arrested 40-year-old Chan Lok Loi, a Chinese national from Macau, in the Huai Khwang district of Bangkok. Kachaphong reportedly confessed to collecting cash for the Chinese national.