Police Bust Nationwide Online Scam Ring, 12 Million Baht Lost

Thailand's Cyber Police launched a major operation on July 16–17, 2024, to dismantle nationwide online fraud rings operating through social media. The operation uncovered 740 linked cases across Thailand with losses exceeding 12 million baht, affecting victims nationwide including Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakan, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Sisaket, Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, Chiang Rai, and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Among the 20 key suspects arrested were Thapanit, 39, who fraudulently booked Japan tours via Trip.com, Traveloka, and Booking.com, causing losses of 2.9 million baht across 40 victim cases; Suwanna, 43, who scammed buyers of luxury AP x Swatch watches for 202,600 baht; and Thanyachad (Bhavarin), 27, who used Twitter to sell fake K-pop artist merchandise through pre-orders, defrauding 84 victims of 168,690 baht. Other suspects included Venus, 21, who sold fake BTS concert tickets via TikTok to 33 victims for 262,009 baht; Chanoknan, 19, and Tinpat, 18, who ran a concert ticket fraud network across Facebook accounts causing 889,380 baht in losses; Suchadaa, 36, who sold counterfeit goods on Facebook and TikTok; and Anchisa, who operated a Korean artist merchandise pre-order scam network on X (Twitter) affecting 141 victims for 298,813 baht. Additional suspects Chakrapong, 19, Malay, 29, and Sirikorn, 49, were arrested for used car sales scams on social media, while Suphachoke, 18, Kittisak, 19, and Thawatchai faced similar charges.