Cyber police arrested a couple who opened mule accounts for a group running a digital coin investment scam. They have a total of five arrest warrants and admitted receiving 2,500 baht per account as compensation for their services.
On 5 June 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembutr, Commander of the Cyber Crime Suppression Division (CCSD), along with Pol. Lt. Gen. Naradet Thiprak, Commander attached to the Royal Thai Police Office assigned to the CCSD, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Kritsaya Bamrungrattanayot, Commander of CCSD Region 4, ordered Pol. Col. Anucha Srisamrong, Chief of Division 2, CCSD Region 4; Pol. Lt. Col. Phromphon Nitwiboon, Deputy Chief of Intelligence Analysis Division, CCSD Region 4, assisting Division 2; Pol. Lt. Yutthapong Amromkonsil, CCSD Region 3, assisting Division 2; and Pol. Lt. Prempracha Utama, Intelligence Analysis Division, assisting Division 2, to lead a team to arrest Mr. Pornthep Boonha, 48, from Chiang Mai, wanted under Kamphaeng Phet Provincial Court warrant no. 226/2569, and Mrs. Tipawan Chankaekla, 47, his wife from Prachinburi, wanted under Natawi Provincial Court warrant no. 555/2568.
They are charged with "aiding and abetting the offense of defrauding the public by presenting false information or concealing the truth that should be disclosed to the public, and jointly supporting the introduction of false data into a computer system in a way likely to cause damage to others or the public, and permitting others to use their bank deposit accounts without the intention of using them for themselves or their related businesses, knowing or having reason to know that the accounts would be used for crimes related to technology or other criminal offenses."
This investigation began in August 2024 when a female victim from Kamphaeng Phet province sought work via Facebook and found a page named “Wonder Shop” advertising online job opportunities with good income for those seeking extra earnings. She applied and initially performed tasks such as packing products according to orders and meeting assigned targets, as well as liking and sharing the page to increase its social media visibility.
Later, the page informed her of additional work requiring investment participation and introduced a Line ID "Miss Watsana," who claimed to be an investment expert and lured her into a digital coin trading scheme, promising good returns. She was deceived into investing over one hundred thousand baht. After about a month, when she tried to withdraw profits, the page claimed she violated conditions and denied withdrawal, leading her to realize the scam and report to cyber police for action against the perpetrators.
Subsequently, the investigative team of Division 2, CCSD Region 4, traced the victim’s funds to accounts held by Mr. Pornthep and Mrs. Tipawan, the couple acting as mule account holders for the scam gang to receive transfers from defrauded victims. Evidence was gathered to obtain arrest warrants, and both were apprehended in Phetchaburi province.
Initially, both admitted they were recruited to open bank accounts, receiving 2,500 baht per account. They agreed to open individual accounts, then traveled to Cambodia to perform facial scans for withdrawing money. When their accounts were frozen, they returned to Thailand and were subsequently arrested. Further checks revealed Mr. Pornthep has three additional warrants for similar offenses. They are now in custody pending prosecution.