Cyber police arrested nine members of a scammer gang hired to withdraw money at a well-known mall. They operated with clear role divisions and a systematic approach. Initially, they face charges of gang-related crimes.
On 16 Aug 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembutr, Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Division, together with Pol. Lt. Gen. Naradet Thiprak, Commander at the Royal Police Office, directed Pol. Maj. Gen. Sarayut Junnawat, Commander of Division 2, along with senior officers, to lead an operation to arrest a gang hired to illegally withdraw money at two major shopping malls in Bangkok.
At the first location, the investigation team arrested seven suspects: Mr. Natthawut, 26, from Sisaket; Ms. Muthita, 41, and Ms. Thanakorn, 56, both from Uthai Thani; Ms. Suchada, 46, from Ratchaburi; Ms. Sukanya, 50, from Samut Prakan; Mr. Peeradet, 57, from Nakhon Sawan; and Ms. Bangorn, 43, from Nakhon Ratchasima. Authorities seized six mobile phones, three bankbooks, and six ATM cards near bank branches inside a shopping mall in Pravet district, Bangkok.
At the second location, investigators arrested Ms. Nathida, 46, and Ms. Nattaya, 35, both from Samut Prakan. Seized items included 337,500 baht in cash and two mobile phones. This group engaged in similar illegal cash withdrawal activities near bank branches inside a shopping mall in the Ramintra area, Bangkok. All nine suspects involved in this network were arrested on 15 Aug and initially confessed.
Pol. Col. Pakornkit said the arrests followed investigation by the Division 3 team, which discovered a Facebook page advertising bank account rentals. Undercover agents infiltrated the group, learning the gang operated with a clear division of labor and functioned like an organized crime syndicate.
Interested parties would add the admin via Line app. The admin provided account owners or renters (called 'customers') with instructions to submit ID card photos, bankbook images, and phone numbers linked to the accounts for verification. If the account was usable, the admin arranged meetings with those who would accompany customers to withdraw money at malls with multiple bank branches. Customers earned a 10% commission on withdrawn funds each time.
Multiple money withdrawers were scheduled simultaneously across various banks to expedite the process. The admin coordinated with sales agents who accompanied account owners to verify account usability, adjusted bank app settings to maximize daily withdrawal limits, and provided operational guidelines.
Once accounts were verified, sales agents informed the admin. Each customer was notified of their queue position (for incoming transfers). Each sales agent accompanied one or two customers, waiting near bank counters. When notified by the admin that funds had arrived, sales agents escorted customers to withdraw cash immediately.
Customers handed the cash to sales agents, who promptly deposited it into bank deposit machines linked to accounts specified by the admin. These destination accounts changed frequently. Alternatively, the cash was converted into gold the same day, sold immediately to different gold shops, and converted into cash to evade financial tracking by authorities, effectively laundering money from scammer and call center gangs and other illicit sources.
Further investigation revealed multiple similar gangs operating covertly among crowds in bank areas inside shopping malls across Bangkok, its metropolitan vicinity, and other provinces, conducting illegal gray money withdrawal transactions.
Initial interrogations showed all suspects confessed. They face charges of "being members of a gang or criminal syndicate and allowing others to use their bank deposit accounts, electronic cards, or electronic accounts without intent for personal or related service use, knowing or reasonably expecting such accounts to be used for technology crimes or other criminal offenses." They were detained and transferred to Pravet and Bang Chan police stations for further legal proceedings.