Over 200,000 mule accounts targeted in scam gangs crackdown
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) launched an all-out crackdown on scam networks using over 200,000 mule bank accounts to siphon off approximately 100 billion baht from Thai citizens since 2022. The scale of the financial crimes has prompted an urgent collaboration between the RTP, the Bank of Thailand (BoT), and other agencies.
At a high-level meeting yesterday, January 13, Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, national police inspector general and head of Thailand’s Action Taskforce for Information Technology Crime Suppression (TACTICS), described mule accounts as a significant economic threat.
“Criminal gangs are exploiting Thailand’s financial infrastructure to rob its citizens.”
These accounts, often opened by working-age individuals, are used to collect or transfer illicit funds while evading detection. Many account owners are unwitting participants, tricked into providing their details in exchange for benefits but they now face potential legal consequences.
The RTP urged banks to bolster account-opening screenings to address the root cause. Meanwhile, law enforcement is tightening border security to disrupt communication and financial channels used by these transnational gangs, many believed to operate from neighbouring countries.
Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiewphan, chief of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, highlighted the importance of regional collaboration.
“Scam networks do not only target Thais but also other nationals. Cooperation among Mekong region countries is essential to dismantle these syndicates.”
Immigration and cyber police are stepping up screening procedures, particularly for high-risk individuals, including those entering under visa-free programmes. Officers are also monitoring natural border crossings to block suspicious entries, reported The Nation.
In addition to enforcement, tools like the Cyber Check app for scam detection and the Thailand Tourist Police app for visitor safety aim to empower the public.
“We expect tangible results within six months, from disrupting call centres to protecting victims and raising awareness.”
In related news, a 21 year old Thai woman was arrested after her younger sister allegedly coaxed her into opening a bank account under the guise of saving salary money for her niece, only for it to be used as a mule account in a call centre scam.
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