Police Recover 1.3 Million Baht From Online Scam Victims
Cyber police recovered 1.3 million baht from online scam victims in northeastern Thailand after tracing fraudulent transfers, with two suspects arrested for impersonating officials and demanding money under false pretenses.
On September 21, 2025, at 14:30, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau Region 3 headquarters in Khon Kaen announced the recovery of funds from an online fraud case. Police Sergeant Major Surapol Prembut, commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, reported the return of 1,339,649 baht to two female victims and the expansion of financial investigations to recover additional stolen money.
In the first case, a female civil servant in northeastern Thailand received a call from a scammer posing as a mobile phone service provider, claiming her name had been used to open a fraudulent phone number account. The call was transferred to another person impersonating Police Lieutenant Colonel from Loei City Police Station, who accused the victim of money laundering involvement and threatened to seize her bank accounts and terminate her employment unless she transferred money to prove her innocence. The victim withdrew 1 million baht from her own funds and borrowed from relatives to transfer.
When scammers demanded an additional 1 million baht, claiming the first transfer was still under investigation, the victim grew suspicious and contacted the Cyber Crime Police hotline 1441, successfully stopping the second transfer.
Investigators traced the 1 million baht transferred to a mule account registered under Jiravarn, which was subsequently transferred to another mule account under Patchraphon. Officials quickly froze Patchraphon's account, recovering 1,370,413.84 baht, which included the victim's full 1 million baht. Police summoned 21-year-old Jiravarn from Nong Khai and 44-year-old Patchraphon from Lampang on charges of fraud, computer crimes, and operating unauthorized bank accounts under the Computer Crime Prevention Act of 2023.
In the second case, another female victim encountered a Facebook page called "Llamito Superfood Store" advertising dietary supplements. After adding the scammer as a friend on Line, she was encouraged to participate in engagement activities by following products in exchange for rewards, with promises of commission from membership sales and profit sharing. The victim transferred money multiple times for various activities but could not withdraw funds, losing a total of 4,550,878 baht.
Investigators gathered evidence, and Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court approved arrest warrants for 12 suspects involved in the scheme on charges including fraud, computer crimes, falsifying data, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy.
