BANGKOK — Thai cybercrime police have arrested an Indian man and a Thai woman for operating a transnational fraud scheme that tricked an American citizen into transferring $59,350, which was then used to purchase gold in Thailand.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatchapandakarn Khlaikhlueang, deputy commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), announced the arrests at a press conference on October 14.
The victim, residing in Denver, Colorado, received an email purporting to be from PayPal demanding $451.99 for a Bitcoin transaction. The email included a U.S. phone number. After calling, the victim was persuaded to transfer $54,350 from his bank account to a corporate account in Thailand—approximately 2 million baht. Scammers then demanded an additional $5,000, threatening consequences if refused. The victim complied, bringing the total to $59,350.
He grew suspicious after noticing the Texas phone number was answered by someone with an East Asian accent. U.S. police traced the funds to Thailand and coordinated with Thai authorities.
Investigation Leads to Arrests
Pol. Col. Torsak Panklinphut, commander of Sub-division 4, CCIB 2, said investigators traced the funds to a Thai limited partnership called Farm LA, registered at Soi Rat Burana 10 with 2 million baht capital for real estate brokerage. Ms. Wandee was listed as director.
The company had been registered for only one month and never conducted business. Police tracked the money as it was transferred to an Indian man’s account, then withdrawn to purchase gold bars at a shop in Bangkok’s Wangburapha district.
Authorities arrested Mr. Gurdeep, 29, an Indian national, at a residence in ฺBangkok’s Taling Chan, and Ms. Wandee, 41, at her home in Roi Et Province.
Charges and Confessions
Police charged both suspects with multiple offenses including transnational organized crime, fraud, introducing false data into computer systems, allowing bank account misuse for technology crimes, and money laundering.
Officers seized documents, money transfer slips, and 200,000 baht in cash. Wandee told police she was hired to open the corporate account for 10,000 baht and would transfer incoming funds to the other suspect for gold purchases.
Gurdeep admitted to the scheme, explaining that gold prices in India are higher. He claimed he told gold shops the money came from Indian customers wanting to buy Thai gold, requesting it be converted from bars to ornaments for easier transport to India.
Broader Criminal Network
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatchapandakarn said the operation involved approximately 20 victims from Africa and America, with roughly 20 million baht ($610,600) circulating through the scheme.
Authorities will coordinate with relevant agencies to encourage victims to file complaints and will investigate the growing use of corporate shell accounts by scammers, who increasingly prefer them over individual accounts.
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