Senior officer arrested for aiding fraud and fake ID issuance

Police apprehended Lieutenant Colonel M. at the Central Investigation Bureau headquarters for aiding state officials in committing fraud and facilitating the issuance of fake identification cards to foreign nationals.

Today, July 11, Phumwisal Kasemsuk, Secretary-General of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), directed Manatsanan Charancharoenpong, Director of PACC Region 3, along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Sarawut Kamlueng, Director of the Anti-Corruption Operations Centre, officers from Division 2 of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), and officers from Division 3 of the Anti-Corruption Police Division (ACPD) to arrest Lieutenant Colonel M.

The arrest was carried out based on a warrant issued by the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court, dated February 15, for supporting state officials in committing fraud.

The investigation stems from incidents in 2019 where Lieutenant Colonel M. endorsed individuals who fraudulently obtained Thai identification cards at the Registration Office in Nong Bua Rawe district, Chaiyaphum province. These individuals, who were not Thai nationals, impersonated Thai citizens whose records had been inactive for a long period.

The PACC Region 3 office conducted a fact-finding investigation, which led the PACC committee to conclude that there was sufficient evidence of wrongdoing. Subsequently, the public prosecutor filed charges, but Lieutenant Colonel M. failed to appear before the prosecutor as scheduled, prompting the issuance of the arrest warrant, reported KhaoSod.

Police apprehended the suspect at the Central Investigation Bureau headquarters in Chom Phon subdistrict, Chatuchak district, Bangkok, on July 10. The suspect will be transferred to the Region 3 Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Court to face legal proceedings.

In related news, police apprehended a company executive accused of fraudulently selling non-existent tours, leaving customers stranded and causing an estimated 8 million baht in damages. Despite the allegations, the executive denies the tour fraud charges but admits to receiving a monthly salary of 100,000 baht.

On July 9, the Commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), Police Major General Witthaya Sriprasertphap, led a team to arrest 36 year old Thapnon.