Cooperative Promotion Department Cracks Down on Hat Yai Cooperative Fraud, Orders Province-Wide Investigation
Hat Yai Credit Union's IT department head manipulated computer systems to steal nearly 400 million baht from members through ghost accounts, prompting authorities to order province-wide cooperative inspections and implement new safeguards.
The Cooperative Promotion Department is moving swiftly to address a massive fraud case at Hat Yai Credit Union, where members have lost over 399 million baht. Following a parliamentary inquiry by Songkhla MP Churi Numkaew about complaints from cooperative members whose savings had disappeared, department director Nirandon Moolthida revealed details of the investigation into Hat Yai Credit Union Limited's fraud.
Investigators found that the IT department head altered computer system codes in the deposit, loan, and member account systems, affecting 88 accounts total. The perpetrators then created ghost accounts using closed member information with altered names and registration numbers to generate fraudulent deposits, which were then withdrawn from the cooperative. The offender entered deposit information into the system without actual cash or transfers, then had accomplices withdraw the funds.
The investigation identified structural weaknesses: the cooperative had only one IT head with unrestricted access to all systems and no confidentiality protocols, creating opportunities for fraud. The total damage amounts to nearly 400 million baht involving 92 suspects. The cooperative's board has dismissed 10 employees implicated in the scheme, including the IT head, and filed criminal complaints with investigators. A civil lawsuit is being prepared for filing by May 2026, and the Anti-Corruption Commission is being coordinated to trace the financial trails.
To prevent future incidents, the department will implement technology-based safeguards, encouraging cooperatives to deploy applications allowing members real-time access to their account information and integrate with the department's central MIS warning system for anomaly detection. The department is also strengthening internal controls, upgrading auditor training in technology oversight, and building inter-agency cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Commission and national police. Orders have been issued to all provincial cooperative offices to conduct thorough inspections of all cooperatives under their jurisdiction and immediately investigate any irregularities or suspected fraud.
