Woman Arrested in Chiang Mai for Alleged Role in B100m Scam Network

A 46-year-old woman accused of setting up nominee companies used by a call centre scam gang to launder more than 100 million baht has been arrested in Chiang Mai province. Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) announced on Tuesday the apprehension of the suspect, identified as Thanyarat (surname withheld), at an apartment in Saraphi district of Chiang Mai. She was named in an arrest warrant issued by the Phra Khanong Criminal Court on June 9, facing charges including collusion in public fraud, inputting false information into a computer system, conspiracy to commit money laundering, membership of a criminal association, and participation in a criminal gang. Her arrest stems from an investigation into an investment scam conducted through online platforms, where perpetrators impersonated legitimate businesses to gain victims’ trust and operated through a highly organised structure. Investigators said members were assigned specific roles, including recruiters who lured victims, operators responsible for opening mule accounts, and those fronting corporate entities and nominee companies. Investigators said at least 50 companies had been established as fronts to receive money transfers from victims. Many people were defrauded, suffering combined losses exceeding 100 million baht. Complaints filed with police in several provinces enabled investigators to gather evidence and secure arrest warrants for more than 50 suspects connected to the network. Ms Thanyarat allegedly served as a director of one of the nominee companies, among the more than 50 firms used as fronts by the syndicate. Victims transferred more than 3 million baht into accounts held by that company alone. The woman had fled into hiding in Chiang Mai, where police tracked her down and made the arrest. During questioning, Ms Thanyarat allegedly confessed she had previously worked for a call centre scam gang and for an online gambling operation in a neighbouring country, where she learned how the criminal networks operate. She later joined former colleagues in setting up nominee companies and opening four corporate bank accounts, which were then handed over to call-centre gangs for use in illegal financial transactions. She allegedly told investigators she received dividend-style payments, or a percentage share of the proceeds. The suspect also admitted procuring and registering mobile phone SIM cards, known as "mule SIMs", for use by call centre scammers in defrauding members of the public, according to the CSD. She has been handed over to investigators at Klong Tan police station in Bangkok for further legal proceedings. The investigation continues.