Pensioner’s 1 million baht scam foiled in central Thailand (video)
Quick-thinking bank staff raised alarm after spotting odd behaviour
A man was caught by police after attempting to help a pensioner withdraw a large sum of cash from a bank account in suspicious circumstances.
The attempted scam was stopped just in time thanks to quick-thinking bank staff who flagged suspicious behaviour and alerted police before the man could disappear with the cash.
At around 3.30pm yesterday, September 18, officers from Chachoengsao City Police Station, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkapop Sakulsayamphu, responded to a call from Krungthai Bank’s Provincial Hall branch. Staff reported that a 57 year old man, identified only as Tor from Sisaket, had withdrawn a large sum of cash while assisting 71 year old Samak from Tha Takiap.
The pair had earlier visited the Tha Takiap branch to request a new bank passbook, with Tor claiming the old one had been lost. With the new book in hand, they attempted to withdraw 1 million baht in total, first collecting 300,000 baht from a department store branch, then another 700,000 baht from the City Hall branch.
Suspicious bank employees began coordinating with other branches after noticing the unusual pattern. When staff followed the pair outside, only Samak remained, confused and standing alone. Tor was spotted heading to a car with the full amount in hand.
Officials and volunteers quickly intercepted the vehicle and found the cash still inside: 300,000 baht in envelopes, and 700,000 baht in banknotes. A further search revealed several mobile phones, including one belonging to Samak, and a note listing multiple names with account numbers. Each name had a note to transfer 990,000 baht.
#เรื่องเล่าเช้านี้ คุณตาวัย 71 ถูกมิจฉาชีพหลอกพาตระเวนถอนเงินสด ได้มาแล้ว 1 ล้านบาท แต่โชคดีเจ้าหน้าที่ธนาคารผิดสังเกต ช่วยอายัดบัญชีทัน เกือบสูญ 10 ล้าน#ข่าวช่อง3 #มิจฉาชีพ #หลอกเงิน pic.twitter.com/AFPcfSoB9s
— เรื่องเล่าเช้านี้ (@MorningNewsTV3) September 19, 2025
When questioned, Samak initially claimed he was withdrawing money for his grandson. But he later said Tor was not a relative and someone he had only just met. Tor claimed he was merely helping after being invited by Samak.
At 4.30pm, Samak’s son-in-law, 51 year old Sapphawi, arrived at the police station and alleged his father-in-law may have been lured away under false pretences. He revealed the money belonged to Samak’s late wife, and the passbook had been in his wife’s possession since the account was transferred, reported Thairath.
Police are now investigating the true motive behind the incident, including whether others named in the documents were involved in a broader scheme.
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