18-Year-Old Arrested for Forging Documents, Impersonating Government Official to Steal 600,000 Baht in Poor Housing Repairs Fund
An 18-year-old was arrested for forging documents and impersonating government officials to steal nearly 600,000 baht from a poor housing repair fund in Buriram Province, abandoning construction projects and embezzling welfare money.
On May 22, 2569, Piyanat Seangiam, director of Social Development and Human Security for Buriram Province, along with Tanaphon Muangchaleom, acting director of the Community Organization Development Institute (Public Organization) in the Northeastern Regional Office, Wutthipong Luongudonthai, chairman of the Community Organization Network for Buriram Province, and related agencies held a fact-checking meeting regarding Jetrin, 18 years old, who falsely claimed to be a government official and Zone 6 chairman to defraud a sufficient housing program for repairing homes of poor residents in Charoem Subdistrict, Prakon Chai District, Buriram Province.
On March 5, 2569, the Charoem Subdistrict Community Organization Council approved a budget of 375,000 baht for a housing repair program covering 11 homes. Jetrin claimed he would oversee all repairs but only completed 7 homes, leaving 4 unfinished, resulting in damage of approximately 140,000 baht. He then disappeared without returning the funds despite multiple requests from the council chairman.
Additionally, Jetrin is accused of defrauding members of the community welfare fund, embezzling over 426,000 baht, bringing total damages to nearly 600,000 baht. He allegedly befriended government officials and agency representatives, claiming he would build homes for elderly poor residents, convincing them to demolish their old houses, but then never constructed new ones while also stealing money from their accounts.
The Charoem Subdistrict Community Organization Council, the welfare fund, and affected elderly residents have filed complaints with Baan Bua Police Station. During an agency coordination meeting, Jetrin called community council chairman Eud Sanprakon requesting mediation and claiming he would repay the housing repair funds, but refused to disclose his location or provide specific repayment terms. He also alleged that others were involved.
Piyanat Seangiam revealed that investigation confirmed Jetrin is not a government official and has no affiliation with the Community Organization Development Institute as claimed. He gained credibility by being the grandson of a welfare fund vice-chairman and by posting doctored images on social media to appear legitimate before impersonating officials to various agencies to build trust and access information, enabling multiple scams.
Beyond the community organization complaint, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has assigned lawyers to help affected elderly victims file additional reports. Related agencies will expedite securing additional budget to repair the remaining 4 homes and assist the affected elderly residents.
