Cyber police nab call centre gang for 1.5 million baht scam

The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led an operation to apprehend a call centre gang, that swindled a doctor’s wife out of 1.5 million baht through account manipulation. The behaviour of the gang was exposed, and a key arrest warrant was issued today.

Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakornbuncha, Chief of the Special Operations Division, directed Police Lieutenant Colonel Satra Sukhanusas, Head of 1st Sub Division, Special Operations Division 2, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekarin Sornnak, Deputy Head of 1st Sub Division, Special Operations Division 2, to lead the force and execute the arrest warrant from the Nonthaburi Provincial Court.

The arrested gang comprised six individuals, including 32 year old Chanothai, 49 year old Tiwakong, 22 year old Charuwan, 29 year old Suriya, 27 year old Saranyu, and 29 year old Kanda. They were apprehended on charges of joint theft, unauthorised use of others’ electronic cards, unauthorised access to a computer system with protective measures, unauthorised alteration or addition of others’ computer data, and money laundering.

The incident occurred when the 68 year old victim, who is the wife of a retired doctor, was contacted via mobile phone by the gang posing as officers from Krung Thai Bank. They informed her of a government scheme to aid users of the Thung Nguen application who had been heavily taxed. The scheme involved the dispersal of 5,000 baht for two months. The victim opted to receive this through the application.

The victim initiated contact with a Line user called Krungthai Bank through a mobile number. The fraudsters then engaged in a conversation, verifying the victim’s name, surname, and address. They instructed her to perform transactions through a website link while simultaneously conversing over the mobile phone, reported KhaoSod.

The fraudsters instructed the victim to fill in her details on the website, which appeared similar to the Thung Nguen application. She was asked to fill in her name, surname, national ID number, date of birth, email, and face scan for identity verification and to receive the OTP.

After completion, the fraudsters claimed that her details did not pass verification and that she would have to switch banks from Krung Thai to Siam Commercial Bank and repeat the process.

When her details did not pass verification again, they instructed her to switch to Bangkok Bank and repeat the process for the third time. At this point, the victim became suspicious and declined the 5,000 baht. Her mobile phone subsequently froze and ceased to display notifications. Upon checking her phone, she discovered that transactions had been made from her Krung Thai and Siam Commercial Bank accounts without her authorisation. Four transactions were made within 30 minutes, totalling more than 1.5 million baht.

The victim reported the case online, requesting legal action against the culprits. The investigation officers from the 1st Sub Division, Special Operations Division 2, traced the financial transactions and found connections and individuals involved in the call centre gang operation. A total of 15 individuals were involved, with 12 arrest warrants issued and 3 pending. Six individuals have been apprehended so far, including a key Chinese figure and a Cambodian ATM operator.

Upon investigation, the arrested gang confessed to being hired to open bank accounts in May 2023 before selling them to buyers for 300 to 1,000 baht per account. They were unaware that the buyers would use these accounts for call centre operations. The suspects have been handed over to the investigation officers of the Special Operations Division 2 for further legal proceedings.