"Paknam police" Arrested three suspects "Call center gang" Following investigations tracing mule accounts, victims said they wanted extra income but were deceived into applying for work; nearly 20 million baht in assets seized
At 10:30 AM on 17 July 2026, Phra Pradaeng Police Station, Samut Prakan Province, led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Phumin Singhhasut, Commander of Samut Prakan Provincial Police, Pol. Col. Prapas Mungkang, Deputy Commander, along with Pol. Col. Sorayut Jirophas, Chief of Investigation Division, Pol. Lt. Col. Phonpracha Thammachotwong, Deputy Chief of Investigation Division, and the investigation team jointly arrested suspects Mr. Supharit or "Art," 28, Mr. Watcharan or "Keng," 32, and Mr. Hai Zhu, 47 (Chinese national). Police informed the suspects of the charges.
1. Participating in procuring, advertising, or facilitating the purchase, sale, rental, or lending of bank deposit accounts, electronic cards, or electronic money accounts without intent to use for oneself or related business, knowing or should have known these accounts would be used for technology-related crimes or other criminal offenses.
2. Being members of a group concealing their methods and aiming for illegal activities (charged with being part of a criminal gang). Seized evidence includes 9 items: 6 mobile phones, a rented Bangkok-registered car, a black-red Chiang Mai-registered motorcycle, cash totaling 1,060,000 baht in 1,000-baht bills, 6 bankbooks, deposit slips totaling 400,000 baht, a currency counting machine, 1 notebook computer, and 3 land title deeds valued at 12 million baht.
The investigation stemmed from expanding inquiries into a mule account owned by Ms. A, 46, living near Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan. The provincial investigation team found victims transferred money into this account and were contacted to withdraw cash from ATMs. Ms. A received 3,000 baht per withdrawal. Learning this pattern, police planned the arrest.
On 16 July 2026, around 1:10 PM, 100,000 baht was transferred into Ms. A's account. Police planned an arrest by arranging a withdrawal at the Government Savings Bank ATM at Phra Pradaeng Pier Branch on Sri Khuean Khan Road, Talad Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng District, Samut Prakan. Ms. A arrived at the meeting point in the parking lot of Wat Klang on Nakhon Khuean Khan Road, Bang Phueng Subdistrict, Phra Pradaeng. A white sedan arrived with Mr. Art, 28 (driver), and Mr. Keng, 32, who picked her up to withdraw 100,000 baht. Police were positioned outside the bank.
After the withdrawal, police immediately arrested Mr. Art and Mr. Keng with 100,000 baht cash seized. Upon questioning, they revealed the money was to be delivered to Mr. Hai Zhu, 47 (Chinese gang leader), residing in Lat Krabang District, Bangkok.
Police then planned further arrests, capturing the Chinese employer at his residence along with all seized evidence. All suspects were sent to prosecutors for legal action. Mr. Art and Mr. Keng confessed, while the Chinese employer denied all charges and remained silent.
Mr. Art revealed he previously worked in agriculture in Chiang Rai, his family’s home province, but income was insufficient. Seeking extra income online, he chatted about a job recruiting executive drivers. He spoke with a Thai male who arranged an interview and flight. He traveled last Saturday and stayed at a hotel in Nonthaburi Province.
They met at a coffee shop where he was trained and began work, initially withdrawing 100,000 baht but had not yet been paid because police arrested him first. He explained he withdrew money on behalf of someone else because he lacked funds himself. Around 1 PM the previous day, he withdrew money with this person, then was arrested. After arrest, he regretted joining but had spent 10,000 baht of his own savings on accommodation due to lack of income.
Mr. Keng said he previously worked as a motorcycle taxi driver in Pathum Thani but needed extra income. He found online ads recruiting executive drivers with monthly pay between 10,000 and 30,000 baht. After applying, he worked about one to two weeks withdrawing money, earning 1,000 to 4,000 baht per withdrawal between 100,000 and 400,000 baht. He delivered the money near Lat Krabang, where others collected it. He had done this about seven to eight times.