Police Dismantle 'Zero Card' Syndicate, Arrest Local Registrar
Thai authorities launched a major operation dismantling a 'Zero Card' syndicate that fraudulently registered foreigners as Thai citizens. Police raided 43 locations, issued 79 arrest warrants, and detained a local registrar assistant, 34 householders and certifiers, and eight foreigners. The investigation began after airport immigration officers uncovered a case of identity fraud involving a child's travel documents.
On November 13, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Worrasit Liangprasit, National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Saran Nualma, Immigration Bureau Chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Noppasil Poolsawat, Immigration Division 5 Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Panya Prasansuk, Provincial Police Region 5 Deputy Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Decho Srisuwannakun, and Immigration Division 5 Superintendent, along with Region 5 investigators, administrative staff, the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), N.I.C.E. unit, and other agencies, announced results of Operation 'Sak Fok Fang' targeting a registration fraud syndicate.
Authorities searched 43 locations, issued 79 arrest warrants, and arrested one state official, 34 householders and certifiers, and eight foreigners.
Pol. Gen. Saran explained the investigation originated from Operation 'Phaya Ngoa Nuea' on October 9, when Don Mueang Airport immigration officers found a 12-year-old boy preparing to travel to China with a Chinese woman, Ms. Jinkui, and a 50-year-old man, Mr. Ilong, without the biological father's consent as required by the birth certificate. DNA testing confirmed Mr. Ilong and Ms. Jinkui were the boy's real parents, yet a Thai man had been registered as the father on the birth certificate. All three were charged, the card was revoked, and registry records corrected. Investigators then discovered chat records about buying and selling 'Zero Cards' for 120,000 baht with a 25% deposit, processed in Fang District, with genuine cards delivered within about six months.
Immigration Bureau coordinated with DOPA N.I.C.E. to expand verification of individuals without registered status — 'White Cards with Number 0' — in Fang District. A local registrar assistant had signed 130 registrations, with 33 suspected of being processed improperly.
Based on gathered evidence, courts approved 79 arrest warrants and 43 search warrants covering three groups: state officials, householders and certifiers, and foreigners accused of identity theft. So far, 34 householders and certifiers and eight foreigners have been apprehended.
The Royal Thai Police pledged to continue working with relevant agencies to audit and close civil registration loopholes to prevent exploitation for identity theft or transnational crime infiltration. They emphasized foreigners may reside, work, do business, or pursue citizenship through legal channels, but fraudulent documents, nominees, or registration corruption to obtain rights illegally will not be tolerated. The public can report identity theft, bribery for registration services, or suspicious identity documents at any police station or via hotline 1599, 24 hours a day.
