The investigative team of Kalasin City Police Station demonstrated their success in tracking and arresting an entire gang using 'mule accounts' to withdraw cash and transfer it to a scammer network, causing damages exceeding 3 million baht.
On 19 Aug 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that under the direction of Pol. Maj. Gen. Songpon Boribarnprasert, Chief of Kalasin Provincial Police, and Deputy Chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Khajornrit Wongrat, alongside Pol. Col. Chalit Srihanu, Chief of Kalasin City Police Station, orders were given to Pol. Lt. Col. Setthasak Sridee, Deputy Chief of Investigation, Pol. Lt. Col. Seksan Saenmahachai, Investigation Officer, and Pol. Lt. Col. Arom Charoensap, Patrol Officer from Huai Phueng Police Station assigned to Kalasin City Police, along with the investigative team, to arrest six suspects linked to a mule account ring working for scammers. The arrests were made on 17 Aug.
The suspects are: 1. Ms. Saruta, aka Fern Anantapat, 28, who recruited people to open mule accounts and withdraw cash; 2. Ms. Buachompoo, aka Naw Jittiwat, 20; 3. Mr. Theeraphon, aka Tee Phunamyo, 23; 4. Ms. Thichada, aka Ney Rintarak, 21; 5. Ms. Jutamas Muenthum, 29; and 6. Mr. Thammarat Ruangrit. The latter five were hired to open mule accounts and withdraw cash.
Authorities seized multiple items including bankbooks, ATM cards, withdrawal slips, transfer receipts, and numerous mobile phones. All six suspects are residents of Kalasin Province and were charged under Kalasin Provincial Court warrants for "aiding criminals" according to Criminal Code Section 210.
This investigation stems from reports received between June and August 2026 of multiple cash withdrawals linked to online fraud scams by a scammer ring across many provinces nationwide. In Kalasin City District, there were 30 such incidents with losses exceeding 3 million baht. The investigative team continuously monitored the suspects withdrawing cash.
Recently, officers spotted Mr. Theeraphon, aka Tee Phunamyo, 23, boyfriend of Ms. Saruta, aka Fern, riding a motorcycle and wearing a helmet while withdrawing cash from an ATM in front of Tong Rung Market in Kalasin Municipality. Officers then followed and tracked the suspect's movements.
On 17 Aug 2026 GMT+7, the Kalasin City Police investigative team tracked and arrested Ms. Saruta, aka Fern Anantapat, 28, the gang leader who recruited people to open mule accounts and withdraw cash, at a gas station in Kalasin Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kalasin Province. They then expanded the investigation and arrested five accomplices, seizing numerous pieces of evidence.
Ms. Saruta, aka Fern, admitted she was contacted by a woman in the scammer network who fraudulently deceived people online and asked her to recruit others to open bank accounts and withdraw cash to transfer to the scammers. She earned a 10% commission on the withdrawn amounts. This activity had been ongoing for about three months, with over 3 million baht withdrawn for the scammer network.
Authorities have detained all suspects and handed them over to the investigators for legal action. They have been initially charged with aiding criminals and investigations to expand the network are ongoing.