BANGKOK — The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) announced the arrest of 10 Vietnamese suspects at a popular shopping mall after they collaborated with Thai nationals in a comprehensive mule account operation.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan, Commander of CCIB, revealed that police had learned of a Vietnamese group comprising executives of a scammer gang who opened corporate accounts for victims to transfer money into. They then contacted Thai brokers to arrange one-day mule accounts, paying 3,000-5,000 baht ($93-155) per person to transfer money to these mule accounts and quickly withdraw cash from bank counters or ATMs, with Vietnamese nationals monitoring and controlling the operations.
Police later discovered that the Vietnamese group had arranged to meet with brokers to bring mule account owners to the basement food court of a famous department store in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao area. Officers planned to track them before making arrests during the money handover.
However, one Vietnamese man responsible for collecting cash fled toward the front of the mall carrying a black shoulder bag containing 400,000 baht ($12,320), crossing Phahon Yothin Road to the opposite side.
However, he dropped his mobile phone and black bag on the road and was eventually caught by officers from the Suppression Division who were riding motorcycles and noticed his suspicious behavior. He was later identified as Mr. Nguyen Xuan Tung, a Vietnamese national. Police then brought him along with the other 9 suspects arrested at the mall for questioning at CCIB headquarters.
The arrested scammer gang consisted of 6 Vietnamese nationals, with Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thuc, also Vietnamese, as the operation’s leader. Another member was responsible for receiving money from Thai brokers to convert to Vietnamese dong before transferring to criminals in Vietnam, while 4 others served as team members.
The Thai suspects included 2 mule account brokers and 2 mule account owners. Investigation revealed that over 30-40 victim cases were linked to this Vietnamese gang, with police believing several other accomplices remain at large. Further investigations will continue.
Cyber police noted that current criminal gangs continuously change mule accounts, using them for only one day to avoid detection by authorities. They recruit mule accounts for both individuals and corporations through social media posts in open and closed groups, or through networks of former scammer gang associates.
“I want to warn Thai people willing to open mule accounts that if officers find evidence linking to these accounts, they will be considered guilty of participating in transnational criminal organizations,” Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong said.
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