BANGKOK — Metropolitan Police arrested three Chinese nationals suspected of running a secondary scam operation targeting previous scam victims by posing as legal advisors, authorities announced Thursday.
The arrests were made at 1:00 p.m. on October 23 at a residence located at 77/90 Soi Ladprao 3, Chomphon Subdistrict, Chatuchak District, following a tip to the 191 emergency hotline reporting suspicious activity involving Asian men who remained indoors at all times.
Police identified the suspects as Zhang Hailong, 38, Liu Shunyin, 29, and Wu Zhiqiang, 32. During the raid, investigators discovered computer systems containing fraudulent scripts translated from Chinese into English and Spanish, along with chat conversations on various social media applications primarily targeting foreigners.
Re-victimization Scheme
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom explained that the suspects operated a particularly insidious scam targeting individuals who had already fallen victim to fraudsters. The group posed as legal consultants offering to help recover lost funds, charging a 5% commission on the claimed losses.
“These scammers set themselves up as advisors offering assistance, requesting information from victims about where they obtained their money as a pretext, then victimizing them again through additional scams,” Lt. Gen. Siam said.
Financial records seized during the operation revealed the group earned approximately 2 million yuan (roughly $300,000) in their first month of operation starting October 2024, with documented monthly income continuing thereafter.
International Operation
The investigation revealed the suspects operated 29 phones connected to computers, four SIM box devices (each capable of holding 20 SIM cards), and maintained conversations with victims in multiple languages including Chinese, Spanish, and English.
According to neighboring residents, the occupants of the house rotated frequently. One suspect entered Thailand from China, another through Laos, and the third via Cambodia.
Charges and Evidence
The three men face preliminary charges of importing equipment into Thailand without proper customs procedures and operating radio communication devices without authorization from licensing authorities. They have been transferred to Phahonyothin Police Station for further legal proceedings. Seized evidence includes: 4 phone farms, 4 desktop computers, 4 notebooks, 42 mobile phones, 5 routers, and 1 pocket WiFi device.
Deputy Commander of the Patrol and Special Operations Division, Pol. Col. Thanakorn Onthongkham, revealed that the suspects had rented the house since October 2024 for 30,000 baht ($915) per month. A Thai woman initially signed the lease with the property owner, but the group created a fraudulent second lease agreement to obtain internet service—a common tactic used by foreign nationals operating illegally in Thailand.
Ongoing Investigation
Lt. Gen. Siam stated that the Metropolitan Police Bureau is working with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to identify other suspected scam network locations operated by both Thai nationals and foreigners.
Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activity involving foreigners or Thai nationals who remain confined to residences, rarely venture into their communities, or exhibit behavior consistent with criminal operations.
The investigation continues as police work to identify additional members of the network and determine the full scope of the operation.
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