BANGKOK — Metropolitan police investigators jointly announced the arrest of money mule and call center gangs across 6 networks, after criminal courts issued 44 arrest warrants. More than half of the suspects have been apprehended, including 3 Chinese bosses. Several networks were captured with cooperation from Sutthisan Police Station.
Police Colonel Chotiwat, Commander of Metropolitan Police Investigation Division 9, stated at a press conference on August 19 that these scammer groups were led by Chinese nationals. After defrauding victims, the Chinese groups would convert the money into digital assets and cash to take back to their country. Most money mule recruitment was done through Facebook pages.
Network 1 involved 6 Thai suspects who managed profits from criminal activities and withdrew money through the group’s accounts, with Chinese commanders controlling and planning operations. This network used luxury vehicle rentals and frequently changed residences to evade authorities, operating continuously since early 2025.
Network 2 saw authorities arrest Mr. Lei and Mr. Haithai, two Chinese bosses who controlled operations and managed finances, along with 3 Thai accomplices with divided roles including opening accounts, withdrawing money for commission shares, and renting accommodations. They received 1,000-2,000 baht per transaction.
This network’s fraud method involved claiming to be Ministry of Education officials offering deposit protection, leading victims to transfer 370,000 baht. Investigation revealed the two Chinese nationals rented a hotel on Ratchadaphisek Road as their base. Police raided and arrested everyone on organized crime charges. During the raid, they also found a Thai woman using drugs in the room, leading to additional charges for methamphetamine possession.
Network 3 emerged from a case where scammers sent messages claiming damaged packages and offering 500 baht compensation, but actually tricking victims into transferring money. They used money mules in two rounds: first, a Thai woman named Ms. Thida withdrew 814,000 baht, then Ms. Wanatra withdrew 1.6 million baht from corporate accounts.
Financial tracking revealed over 3 million baht in cash withdrawals, suggesting money from other victims was also processed through these mule accounts. This network was controlled by Mr. Weiming, a Chinese national, along with 4 Thai accomplices who opened mule accounts and withdrew money across multiple provinces including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Regional Police Region 1 areas, and Bangkok.
Authorities issued 11 arrest warrants, successfully apprehending 5 suspects including Weiming, who was captured at a restaurant in Huai Khwang while eating. Weiming claimed he couldn’t speak Thai and requested an interpreter, initially denying involvement with scammers and money mules. He also claimed to have heart problems, but police investigation revealed this was merely acting. Police had key photographic evidence of Weiming collecting cash from the money mule group.
Network 4 involved 5 suspects: 2 brokers recruiting money mules, a withdrawal controller, an assistant commander, and a Chinese national controlling operations and distributing profits among accomplices.
Network 5 saw the arrest of 5 suspects including one foreign national, with seizure of communication equipment, SIM cards, multiple bank account books, and substantial cash from criminal proceeds. All 5 managed finances from defrauding victims regarding civil service retirement funds. After victims transferred money to the group’s accounts, suspects would withdraw cash from various branches to deliver to controllers.
Network 6 involved Nonthaburi City Police in arresting a group managing profits from scamming citizens through intimidating phone calls. After victims transferred money, financial controllers would order this suspect and accomplices to withdraw money under supervision. Metropolitan Investigation Team 9 is expanding the investigation into other accomplices.
Police Colonel Chotiwat added that other cases showed similar fraud patterns, with groups adapting by using hotel rooms in Bangkok as bases, constantly changing hotels while Thai money mules withdrew cash from ATMs to bring to Chinese bosses, rather than withdrawing from abroad.
“The popular area is Huai Khwang district in Sutthisan. Most money mules joining these operations were recruited through Facebook page advertisements, including both deceived Thais and voluntary participants,” Police Colonel Chotiwat stated.
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