BANGKOK — Seven suspects, including six rogue police officers and on civilian, were arrested on Wednesday for staging a fake passport investigation and attempting to extort 10 million USDT from a Chinese-Vanuatu citizen. Two suspects who acted as interpreters remain at large.
The case has shaken the credibility of the Thai police force. On October 30, a group of nine police officers and three civilians were involved in staging a fake investigation of foreigners in Thailand and attempting to extort money through fraudulent legal threats. They were all subsequently arrested.
Mr. Sai, a Chinese man with Vanuatu citizenship, along with his Chinese wife, family members, and their housemaid (a total of 5 people) filed a complaint with Police Lieutenant Colonel Chairat Thamseethao at Bang Sue Police Station (serving at Thung Song Hong Police Station).
They reported that while staying at their house in a housing estate in Bang Phli Yai, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province, a group of men claiming to be police officers presented what appeared to be a search warrant from the Samut Prakan Provincial Court.
Since Mr. Sai and others in the house couldn’t read Thai, they only recognized the government seal on the document and believed it was legitimate, allowing the search. The group read the warrant using two interpreters — Ms. Aphatsara and Mr. Yun (a Chinese husband and wife team) — to communicate. They claimed a Filipino suspect had implicated Mr. Sai in a passport forgery case that was already being prosecuted at the South Bangkok Criminal Court.
The suspects confiscated all mobile phones and one computer, then threatened additional charges for illegal employment of foreign housekeepers. They demanded 300 million baht or 10 million USDT (digital currency) to drop the case.
When Mr. Sai refused, stating he didn’t have that much Thai currency and wasn’t guilty, they took him, his wife, a Chinese friend named Wen, and the housekeeper to the Government Complex Building B.
The criminals negotiated down to 10 million baht, but Mr. Sai still refused. Around 5 p.m., they took Mr. Sai and his wife to a police division, excluding their friend and housekeeper.
In the interrogation room, after further negotiations, Mr. Sai agreed to transfer 5.6 million baht ($165K). Since he didn’t have enough Thai currency, he made two digital currency transfers to Ms. Aphatsara’s digital wallet: first at 6:35 p.m. for 9,253 USDT and second at 6:43 p.m. for 140,000 USDT.
After receiving the money, the corrupt officers created documents and had all four detainees record a video stating no wrongdoing was found. They returned the phones but kept the computer.
On October 17 around 1 p.m., Ms. Aphatsara contacted Mr. Wen through Mr. Sai’s Telegram, demanding an additional 700,000 baht to reveal who had reported Mr. Sai. He transferred another 20,895 USDT at 1:39 p.m.
After losing significant money without receiving any information, Mr. Sai authorized a lawyer to investigate. Upon discovering the fraud, he filed criminal charges on October 22.
Based on victim testimonies and evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police investigation team and cyber police, it was discovered that this case involved 12 perpetrators. On the night of October 30, police arrested 7 suspects:
- Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanachai, age 41, from Kham Sakae Saeng Police Station, Nakhon Ratchasima Province
- Police Captain Amnuay, age 42, from Samrong Tai Police Station, Samut Prakan Province
- Police Senior Sergeant Major Chayaphon, age 43, from Division 1, Tourist Police Bureau 1
- Police Senior Sergeant Major Pornthep, age 46, from Division 2, Consumer Protection Police Division
- Police Senior Sergeant Major Manaswee, age 41, from Division 1, Tourist Police Bureau 1
- Police Senior Sergeant Major Siam, age 49, from Investigation Division, Saraburi Provincial Police
- Mr. Thawut, age 43
Additionally, three cyber police officers had previously surrendered on October 28:
- Police Captain Thanakrit
- Police Senior Sergeant Major Suphan
- Police Sergeant Kittipoom
Two suspects remain at large: Ms. Aphatsara and Mr. Yun, a husband and wife team who served as interpreters.
All suspects denied the charges and requested 15 days to submit written statements. They were granted temporary release on bail with cash and land as collateral. The case falls under the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s jurisdiction, and investigators will submit their findings within 30 days of the complaint.
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