Woman confesses to cryptocurrency scam involvement after husband’s suicide

Picture courtesy of สำนักข่าวราชการ Facebook

A 31 year old woman named Priyanuch was arrested today, in connection with an online investment scam involving cryptocurrency trading. Upon interrogation, she confessed that her husband had encouraged her to open six bank accounts for the scam, and he later took his own life after learning he was wanted by authorities.

Priyanuch, a mother of three children aged 13 years and two months, was apprehended at Future Park Rangsit, Pathum Thani yesterday. Investigations led by Assistant Commissioner of the Police Crime Technology Division, Police Lieutenant General Damrongsak Kittiprapats, traced six bank accounts used for the fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme, causing almost a million baht in damages.

Priyanuch confessed that around April 2020, her boyfriend, Madman Srisapetch, convinced her to open six bank accounts for online investing. In May 2023, Madman took his own life after discovering he was wanted for fraud.

The scam lured investors with promises of high returns but failed to deliver on withdrawals. In total, damages amount to 537,229 baht (US$ 15,522) in one case and 269,512 baht (US$ 7,787) in another. Investigating officers coordinated with the suspect’s family to care for the children and provided 2,000 baht (US$ 58) as initial expenses before handing her over to investigators in Saimai to proceed with the case.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Theeradet Thammasuthi warned offenders that they cannot escape the law and urged anyone with information about wrongdoing to report it to the Inquiry Citywide IDMB page, available 24 hours a day. He emphasised that even if the cases had limited financial impact, the police would take immediate action if the public were affected, following the policy of Police Lieutenant General Damrongrak.

A week ago, a Chinese national and 12 accomplices have been apprehended in Chiang Rai for their involvement in an online scam operation. The arrests were made by officers from Provincial Police Region 5 and the Immigration Bureau, following a tip-off about the gang’s activities in Chiang Rai City. To read more click HERE

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress or depression. Seek help.

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Nattapong Westwood

Nattapong Westwood is a Bangkok-born writer who is half Thai and half Aussie. He studied in an international school in Bangkok and then pursued journalism studies in Melbourne. Nattapong began his career as a freelance writer before joining Thaiger. His passion for news writing fuels his dedication to the craft, as he consistently strives to deliver engaging content to his audience.

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