Chiang Mai police bust online booking scam, arrest key suspect

Chiang Mai police swooped on a fraudulent online accommodation booking scam gang, arresting a key figure in Sa Kaeo. The operation aimed to boost tourist confidence during the high season by targeting tech-based crimes.

The Chiang Mai Tourist Police, under the directive of Police Lieutenant General Saksira Phuak-am, focused on dismantling mule accounts used by criminals to scam tourists. Police Lieutenant Colonel Avirut Sukyaem and his investigative team tracked down Kittipong, also known as “Ta,” following a warrant issued by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court.

Kittipong faced charges of defrauding the public and introducing false information into computer systems.

The criminals used fake Facebook profiles to deceive tourists into transferring money for bookings at popular destinations like Rak Thai Village in Mae Hong Son province. Upon arrival, tourists discovered that no reservations had been made, resulting in financial losses and ruined travel plans.

After receiving complaints from affected tourists, the investigation team traced the financial transactions, linking the funds to Kittipong’s account. This evidence enabled them to secure an arrest warrant and apprehend Kittipong while he was hiding in Khao Chakan district, Sa Kaeo province. He was subsequently handed over to the Phuping Ratchaniwet Police Station for legal proceedings.

The Tourist Police issued a warning to tourists, advising them to exercise caution when making online accommodation bookings. They recommend thoroughly verifying the credibility of pages or websites and avoiding transfers to unverifiable accounts, reported KhaoSod.

In similar news, a Ukrainian woman and her friend reported a motorcycle rental scam in Pattaya after discovering that their rental bikes were stolen and taken across Thailand’s border.

In other news, Thailand’s Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) seized over 5 billion baht in assets this year, targeting fraud, online gambling, and corruption.

AMLO Secretary-General Theppasu Bavornchotidara, along with Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) assistant Secretary-General, Bhumivisan Kasemsook, disclosed the outcomes of the year’s 11th AMLO Transaction Committee meeting.