Cyber cops caught in 300 million baht web of greed

Nine Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers and three additional suspects allegedly attempted to extort 300 million baht from a Vanuatu-Chinese couple. Ten suspects were arrested while two others remain at large.

The Vanuatu man named Sai and his Chinese wife reported to officers at Bang Sue Police Station that a group of men claiming to be police officers swindled 5.7 million baht from him. The couple stated that the group included police officers, a Thai interpreter named Apartsara Sonklin and her Chinese husband named Yun Daliang.

According to Sai, the group raided his home in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province, presenting a document with the royal warrant and garuda emblem of Thailand, which convinced the couple to allow a search.

Each police officer communicated with Sai and his wife through Apartsara, who acted as their interpreter. Apartsara read out a legal document to the couple, claiming that a Filipino suspect, who was arrested for making counterfeit passports, confessed that Sai was involved in the crime.

Sai firmly insisted on his innocence, stating that he had no involvement in producing fake passports and did not know any Filipino suspects in the case.

The situation escalated as the group seized the mobile phones of the couple, their housemaid, and Sai’s Chinese friend. They also inspected Sai’s computer, claiming they needed to search for evidence.

300 million baht demanded

The group then offered the couple an ultimatum: pay 300 million baht, or 10 million USDT, to have all legal cases dropped. Sai refused, believing in his innocence.

Consequently, the police took Sai, his wife, his Chinese friend, and the maid into their car. During the journey, the officers lowered their demand to 10 million baht, but Sai still refused.

The group eventually brought them to the Cyber Crime office, where only Sai and his wife were taken to a separate room. Under pressure, Sai transferred a total of 5 million baht in both baht and USDT to the group. The cryptocurrency transfer went to Apartsara’s account but Sai did not disclose the destination of the baht transfer.

After receiving the money, the corrupt officers took photographs of the couple, their maid, and Sai’s friend, then returned their mobile phones and allowed them to leave. However, Sai’s computer remained with the group.

On October 17, around 1pm, Apartsara contacted Sai, claiming she knew who was behind his recent arrest but would only reveal the information if he transferred 700,000 baht. Sai agreed and made the transfer to Apartsara’s cryptocurrency account. However, after receiving the funds, Apartsara blocked Sai and provided no information.

Suspects deny

An investigation by Bang Sue Police Station officers confirmed nine genuine police officers and three others involved in the case, including six police officers and one Thai civilian:

1. Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanachai Jaikla
2. Police Captain Amnuay Kongklin
3. Police Captain Thanakrit Kanchanamart
4. Police Senior Sergeant Major Chayaphon Wongpan
5. Police Senior Sergeant Major Pongthep Sangkala
6. Police Senior Sergeant Major Manassawee Janyaluck
7. Police Senior Sergeant Major Siam Thongmon
8. Police Senior Sergeant Major Suphan Kongsai
9. Police Sergeant Major Kittiphum Jeenplaengchart
10. Warut Wanthongsook
11. Apartsara Sonklin
12. Apatsara’s Chinese husband, Yun Daliang

Three of them surrendered at Tung Song Hong Police Station following the summon request including Thanakrit, Suphan, and Kittiphum. Police officers arrested more suspects on October 28, but Apatsara and her Chinese husband remain at large.

The suspects were charged under Section 149 of the Criminal Code: requesting, receiving, or agreeing to receive property or benefits and committing illegal acts while holding an official position. The penalty ranges from five to 20 years of imprisonment, life imprisonment, or a fine of 100,000 to 400,000 baht.

All suspects denied the allegations and requested bail, providing cash and property as collateral. They were granted bail and must submit documents to clarify their actions within seven years.