Cyber police arrest woman for illegal money lending in Thailand
Cyber police conducted swooped to arrest a 33 year old woman involved in an illegal online money lending operation, charging exorbitant daily interest rates of 2,000 baht. She confessed, and substantial evidence was found at the scene.
The operation unfolded yesterday, December 10, when police from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau led by Trairong Phiwpan and Wiwat Kamchamnan, instructed Phumiphat Phatarasrivongchai and his team to execute a search warrant at a residence in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The warrant, numbered 438/2567, led to the arrest of 33 year old Supansa, whose surname has been withheld. At her home in Nai Mueang, numerous incriminating documents, including loan agreements and photocopies of borrowers’ identification cards, were seized.
The investigation stemmed from an online inquiry by the police, who discovered a Facebook account advertising daily interest loans at 10%—a rate far exceeding legal limits. This account was linked to Supansa, prompting the police to collect sufficient evidence to obtain a search warrant.
Upon entering her home, officers discovered loan contracts and identification copies scattered across her bedroom, alongside a mobile phone containing images related to the loan operations.
“The loan agreements and documents are indeed mine,” Supansa admitted during police questioning.
She revealed her lending practices, stating that for a 45,000 baht (US$1,335) loan, she would transfer only 43,000 baht (US$1,275) to the borrower, withholding 2,000 baht (US$60) as immediate interest. The daily interest of 2,000 baht continued until the principal was repaid in full, a practice known locally as floating interest.
Further details emerged as Supansa confessed to another lending scenario. For a 5,000 baht (US$150) loan, she transferred 4,700 baht (US$140) to the borrower, retaining 300 baht (US$9) upfront. The interest charged in this scenario was 300 baht per day over a 15-day period.
Police charged Supansa with lending money at interest rates exceeding legal limits and operating a personal loan business without proper authorisation. These actions violate the Revolutionary Council Announcement No. 58, dated January 26, 1972, and the Ministry of Finance’s regulations requiring permits for such business activities, reported KhaoSod.
“The suspect has been charged with operating an unlicensed lending business and imposing interest rates beyond legal thresholds,” stated one of the officers.
Supansa, along with the evidence, was taken to the Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station for further legal proceedings.
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