Bangkok: A network of investment scammers using attractive profile pictures to lure customers into exchanging currencies was arrested, claiming profits of up to 25% per transaction. The group lost nearly 260,000 baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatchapanthakarn Klayklueng, Deputy Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (Cyber Police), led a press conference on the results of the operation to apprehend a cryptocurrency investment fraud network. A total of 265,510 baht was seized and returned to victims under the "MONEY Cash Back: Close Accounts, Hunt the Scammers, Get Your Money Back" program.
On February 1st, a victim from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province filed a police report claiming that a scammer had added her as a friend via the Line app using a good-looking profile picture. After chatting, they developed a close bond and trust. The scammer then persuaded the victim to invest in currency exchange, promising a profit of up to 25% per investment. Believing this, the victim followed the scammer's instructions and transferred money to four different bank accounts, totaling 1,000,000 baht. However, when the victim tried to withdraw her investment, she was unable to do so. She realized she had been deceived and filed a complaint.
In this case, the Cyber Police investigated and gathered evidence, ultimately submitting a request to the court for arrest warrants for three suspects. They were charged with jointly defrauding the public by impersonating others, entering false information into a computer system, and allowing others to use their electronic bank account or electronic account without the intention of using it for themselves or for any related business, knowing or should have known that the use would be used to commit a technology crime or other criminal offense.
Furthermore, the bank was able to freeze the bank account of Ms. Manatthakorn, one of the accused who received the transfer. The victim had transferred 350,000 baht into the account as part of the investment. The bank was able to freeze 265,510 baht in the account. After acknowledging the charges, the accused confessed to having no involvement in the frozen funds, denied any claim to ownership, and agreed to allow the police to return the funds to the victim. Two other accused are currently being pursued for prosecution.