Khon kaen: Police Region 4 has successfully dismantled a gang utilizing proxy accounts to withdraw money from victims at prominent shopping malls in Khon Kaen and Kalasin provinces. The operation resulted in the arrest of eight individuals and the seizure of nearly 600,000 baht in cash.
According to Thai News Agency, the investigation was initiated by officers from the Provincial Police Region 4 Investigation Center, who had been monitoring a 19-year-old male suspect due to tips about unusually large cash withdrawals. This led to the apprehension of the suspect and three accomplices in a shopping mall in Khon Kaen after they withdrew money allegedly obtained through fraudulent bank transfers. The suspects were taken into custody, and their vehicle was searched for additional evidence.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Nopkao Sommanat, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 4, announced that the arrested gang was divided into two groups operating in Kalasin and Khon Kaen. The coordinated operation in Kalasin involved investigators noting suspicious financial transactions, revealing a money laundering scheme utilizing fraudulent accounts and cybercrime. Local residents were reportedly hired to open bank accounts to receive illicit funds, which were then withdrawn at banks and ATMs.
The police operation intensified following a tip-off about individuals using private cars to withdraw cash in Kalasin. Surveillance led to the arrest of another four suspects as they withdrew cash from a bank at a shopping mall. The suspects, including Ms. Sujitra and Mr. Somchai, were found with 300,000 baht in cash and communication devices, with the entire operation reportedly conducted in Chinese.
In Khon Kaen, further arrests were made following information from a bank's money trail tracing center. Four accomplices, including Mr. Chakrit and Ms. Pornnapa, were apprehended for their roles in orchestrating and executing money withdrawals. The authorities seized 178,540 baht in cash, vehicles, and other evidence, with damages from the operation estimated to exceed 600,000 baht.
An in-depth investigation revealed that the gang's operations were directed by Mr. Thanapol, who remains at large. Profits from their criminal activities were divided among the group, with commissions distributed to those facilitating the withdrawals and transportation.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant against scams involving the opening of bank accounts for illicit purposes. Police are continuing their investigations to apprehend further accomplices and ensure the return of funds to affected victims.