SONGKHLA — The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) has arrested a Malaysian-Thai couple suspected of involvement in a massive money laundering scheme linked to the “Ghost Company” operation at the Sadao border checkpoint.
Mr. Lim, 38, a Malaysian national, and his Thai wife Ms. Saowalak were apprehended at the Sadao Immigration checkpoint in Samnak Kham, Sadao district, Songkhla province on December 19. The arrests were made following criminal court warrants on money laundering charges.
The couple’s arrest is connected to a widespread investment scam involving fake applications called “Nicshare” and “ComonApps.” Victims were lured with promises of high returns on stock trading investments, with scammers impersonating well-known stock market personalities to gain credibility. The scheme has reportedly caused damages exceeding 800 million baht ($23 million) to numerous victims.
Police investigation revealed that the operation involved both Thai and foreign nationals, with money circulation reaching approximately 5 billion baht ($144 million). This led to the issuance of arrest warrants for more than 50 suspects connected to the case.
According to investigators, Mr. Lim and Ms. Saowalak played key roles in the operation, converting fraudulently obtained funds into digital currencies to obscure their origin. They were also allegedly involved with the “Ghost Company” network, which established shell companies to create fake bank accounts supporting illegal business operations.
The arrest was made after authorities received intelligence about Mr. Lim’s planned entry into Thailand through the Sadao checkpoint. Ms. Saowalak was subsequently arrested while attempting to pick up her husband at the immigration checkpoint’s parking area.
Both suspects confessed to recruiting individuals to establish legal companies for opening bank accounts, which were then sold to others. Their client network reportedly extended across several ASEAN countries. Financial investigations have linked these accounts to call center scams, online gambling operations, and grey businesses.
This case follows a similar recent arrest in Bangkok of another Malaysian-Thai couple involved in money laundering through gambling websites. That investigation highlighted a pattern where foreign nationals marry Thai citizens to gain legal business ownership rights for money laundering purposes.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to track down additional suspects and examine related financial transactions.
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