Seven arrested in Songkhla for 2 million baht scam and gun trade
Seven young adults were arrested in Songkhla’s Mueang district for orchestrating a complex scam that defrauded victims of nearly 2 million baht (US$59,170) and subsequently funding the illegal production of firearms for sale.
The arrests took place following an investigation into fraudulent activities conducted by a gang that targeted individuals through random calls, convincing them to invest in a scheme promising a 1,000% return.
Police officials, led by Trirong Piowpan, ordered the arrest of 21 year old Yutthapol Chuchuay; 23 year old Thaksin Phaihongngoen; 21 year old Weerapat Chuea-on; 27 year old Phongsathorn Chuea-on; and 24 year old Kanokwan Ocha-ampawan.
They were apprehended under a warrant issued by the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Court for charges of public fraud and conspiracy in money laundering, which they executed collectively.
The investigation further led to the arrest of two other individuals, 26 year old Phattharaphon, and 22 year old Suphakrit, who were found in possession of 18 firearms, gun production equipment, five Yaba pills, approximately 1 gramme of crystal meth, 40,000 baht (US$1,183) in cash, two gold rings, a pickup truck, a car, and three motorcycles. These items were seized at a residence in the Praw Village Garden Home, Phawong subdistrict, Mueang district, Songkhla.
The arrests followed complaints from victims who reported being lured into an investment scheme under the false promise of a 1,000% return. One victim reported transferring money 12 times, amounting to 784,000 baht (US$23,200). The investigation revealed that the gang operated by dividing tasks among members, who were based at the aforementioned residence, a police spokesperson said.
“The suspects denied the allegations, but evidence confirmed their involvement in the fraudulent activities.”
The scheme involved making random phone calls to potential victims, persuading them to invest and using the proceeds to finance the production of firearms. These weapons were then sold online through a closed group on a page named Wihok Tong 9, targeting customers nationwide at prices ranging from 12,000 to 20,000 baht (US$355 to 590). Some of the proceeds were also used for personal expenses and drug consumption.
Fraud scam
Further inquiries into the suspects’ backgrounds showed that most of them are natives of Yala province and have criminal records, including attempted murder and assault in Yala and the three southern border provinces, the police spokesperson said.
“The investigation team has been instructed to work with the Region 9 police to trace the distribution of these firearms and determine whether they were used in criminal activities.”
Police are now expanding the investigation to uncover any masterminds behind these operations and ascertain whether the firearms were sent to other areas for illicit purposes. The case has been documented in the national police’s online reporting system, with three cases involving over 1 million baht (US$29,590) in total being reported.
