Cyber police arrest loan shark, seize over 3 million baht

Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau officers (CCIB) are intensifying efforts to crack down on illegal money-lending operations. Police recently arrested a 43 year old woman for running an online lending page. She confessed to charging exorbitant interest rates of 20% per month, with evidence found at her residence revealing over 3 million baht in circulation.

Police Major General Phumipat Phattharasriwongchai, chief of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) Region 5, yesterday, July 17, directed Police Lieutenant Colonel Kritthapop Kaewrod, a key officer in the same bureau, to execute a search warrant issued by the Trang Provincial Court.

The search carried out at a residence in Palian Subdistrict, Palian District, Trang Province, led to the arrest of Khwanjira, also known as Madame Khwan Hadlao, who was identified as the homeowner and the operator of the illegal money-lending scheme.

The investigation by the CCIB’s Cyber Guard Team, operating in Trang Province, uncovered Khwanjira’s activities through various social media platforms, including Facebook and Line. They discovered a Facebook page that was illicitly offering loans with interest rates far exceeding the legal limit.

After gathering sufficient evidence, police obtained a court order to search Khwanjira’s home, where they found substantial proof of her illegal lending operations. This included chat logs with customers and a list of clients, as well as banking records showing over 3 million baht (US$83,300) in transactions.

During the interrogation, Khwanjira admitted to the illegal money-lending activities. She explained that if a customer borrowed 1,000 baht (US$27), they were required to repay the principal plus interest in weekly instalments over seven weeks, amounting to 200 baht (US$5.5) per week. This repayment plan totalled 1,400 baht (US$40), reflecting an interest rate of 20%, reported KhaoSod.

Following the search, police charged Khwanjira and seized the evidence before transferring her to the investigation unit at Ban Nong Aueang Police Station.

In related news, police apprehended a 34 year old online gambler and illegal moneylender while he was collecting interest on loans.