Commandos Arrest Major Suspect in Online Investment Fraud Scheme, Victim Transfers Money 43 Times, Loses Over 17 Million Baht

Commandos arrested Songyot, a 45-year-old suspect, at a bus stop in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, based on an arrest warrant from the South Bangkok Criminal Court. The suspect is charged with fraud, computer-related crimes, and allowing electronic accounts to be used for criminal activities. The victim, Suntharika, discovered a Facebook advertisement promising supplemental income and was initially paid returns, which built trust. She was then repeatedly tricked into transferring money 43 times, totaling 17,096,372 baht. During interrogation, the suspect claimed he was previously tricked into working in Sa Kaeo Province and had his bank passbook seized, but police did not believe his story and prepared to press charges.