PATTAYA: Tourist police arrested four suspects, including the alleged leader of a mule-account network, in a sweep through Pattaya on October 7th after tracing funds stolen in a call-center scam that impersonated officials of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA).
Investigators said the group worked with a call-center operation that contacted victims claiming to be PEA staff. Callers told targets they were due a refund of their electricity deposit or needed to replace their meter, then sent a QR code. After scanning it, victims were directed to enter personal details and bank-account information. The accounts were then emptied. Reported losses in the cases under investigation total more than 300,000 baht.
The operation followed orders from Pol. Lt. Gen. Phongsayam Mikhanthong, commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau, to accelerate action against mule-account networks. Pol. Col. Man Rotthong, superintendent of the bureau’s investigation division, led the inquiry with his deputy and investigators.
The four men taken into custody were named as Naruchai, 25, also known as “Boss,” described as the mule-account gang leader and wanted under Khon Kaen Provincial Court warrant No. 1162/2569; Supphakon, 24, known as “Fiw,” warrant No. 1160/2569; Sittichai, 31, known as “Jack,” warrant No. 1163/2569; and Wuttichai, 24, known as “Bes,” warrant No. 1161/2569.
They face charges of jointly defrauding the public and of fraudulently or deceptively introducing distorted, forged, or false computer data into a computer system in a manner likely to cause damage to the public.
Arrests were made in the parking area of a hotel on Soi Na Kluea 25 and outside a condominium in the Soi Pheniat Chang area. Officers then searched rooms and related premises. At a luxury condominium on Thepprasit Road linked to Boss, and in rooms associated with the other suspects, police seized multiple bank passbooks and ATM cards.
According to the investigation, money taken from victims was transferred into mule accounts that terminated in Pattaya, Chonburi. Victims had reported the fraud to investigators at Khon Kaen City Police Station and also sought help through the Tourist Police hotline 1155. Financial tracing led officers to the cash-out team. Evidence was forwarded to Khon Kaen investigators, who obtained arrest warrants for five people.
Questioning indicated that Boss, described as a Thai-Chinese financier, arranged or bought bank accounts and electronic deposit accounts to receive victims’ money on instructions from a Chinese national heading the call-center gang. Boss allegedly directed Fiw and Bes to contact mule-account holders and wait for incoming transfers. Jack then withdrew the cash from ATMs and returned it to Boss. Once the day’s takings were collected, Boss delivered the cash to the Chinese principal at hotels around Pattaya, coordinating through Telegram. Suspects were said to receive about 20 percent of the amount obtained from victims.
Police said five people were implicated. Four have been arrested; one remains at large and is being sought. The suspects were handed over to investigators at Khon Kaen City Police Station.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Phongsayam warned the public that PEA does not telephone or send SMS messages offering electricity-deposit refunds or arranging meter changes through online channels or applications. He urged people not to click suspicious links, scan QR codes, download applications from outside the official app stores, or give personal or banking details to callers. Questions about PEA services should be directed to the PEA Contact Center at 1129. Victims or anyone who sees suspicious activity can contact the Tourist Police on 1155 or through the TPB App at any time.