Police Rescue 18-Year-Old Scam Victim Before Losing More Millions
Police rescued an 18-year-old in Hat Yai who had already lost 2 million baht to scammers posing as authorities, preventing criminals from extracting an additional 5 million baht before they fled.
The Technology Crime Suppression Division, Region 9 Police, responded to a report from the father of an 18-year-old victim on August 6, stating that his son had been tricked by a call center gang into transferring 2 million baht and had become unreachable. Deputy Commander Wara Wechcchaphinan and Investigation Chief Maruit Ruengchintana ordered Deputy Investigation Commander Chakrawut Bunruang to locate and rescue the victim.
Police tracked the victim's location to Thian Chao Utit Road in Hat Yai, Songkhla. Finding his motorcycle near an apartment building, officers searched nearby units until they discovered him alone in a room, actively video-calling with the scammers. The moment police appeared on the phone screen, the criminals immediately hung up and deleted their Line account.
The victim explained that he had received a call from fraudsters claiming he was involved in a SIM card case and faced legal trouble. They demanded 2 million baht as "proof of innocence." He was told the money was for overseas education and convinced his parents to transfer the funds, which he then sent to the criminals in four installments of 500,000 baht each. The scammers subsequently ordered him to rent a room, cut contact with family and friends, and attempted to extract an additional 5 million baht.
Police arrived in time to prevent further losses. The victim has been safely located at the apartment near Central Plaza Hat Yai and is now being interviewed by investigators to file a formal complaint. Officers are expanding their investigation to pursue other members of the call center gang.
