Division 8 investigators, together with Bukkhalo Police Station detectives, arrested two suspects—a Thai and a Malaysian—linked to a call center gang impersonating the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). They tricked a female victim into transferring 120,000 baht and delivering 40 baht-weight of gold, valued at about 3.1 million baht, at a shopping mall in the Tha Phra area.
On 21 Oct 2016, Pol. Col. Chotichuang Rasamee, Superintendent of the Investigation Division, Metropolitan Police Division 8, Pol. Col. Nopadol Pinpongphan, Acting Superintendent of Bukkhalo Police Station, Pol. Lt. Col. Boonrit Siangsai, Deputy Superintendent of Division 8 Investigation Unit, Pol. Lt. Col. Prasert Janaksorn, Deputy Superintendent of Bukkhalo Police Investigation Unit, and Pol. Lt. Col. Nakritchai Suknil led investigators from Division 8 and Bukkhalo Police Station to jointly arrest two suspects in the call center gang.
The suspects are Ms. Kwanruethai, 25, arrested at an apartment on Soi Thaothai 33, Daokanong Subdistrict, Thonburi, Bangkok, and Mr. Yam Chun Lam, 26, a Malaysian national, arrested near Soi Udomsuk 25/1, Bang Na Nuea Subdistrict, Bang Na, Bangkok. They had defrauded a female victim into transferring 120,000 baht and handing over 40 baht-weight of gold, valued at approximately 3.1 million baht, at a shopping mall in Tha Phra on 16 Oct.
The case began when police at Bukkhalo Station and Division 8 received a report from Ms. Thanyaya, 28, the victim, that she was contacted by a call center gang impersonating DSI officials. They threatened her, claiming she was involved in illegal activities, then coerced her to transfer 120,000 baht and deliver 40 baht-weight of gold to the shopping mall mentioned.
Investigators tracked the case and on 17 Oct at about 21:30, arrested Ms. Kwanruethai, who had come to receive the gold from Ms. Thanyaya. Upon questioning, Ms. Kwanruethai said she had also been deceived by the criminals, who contacted her claiming to be DSI official “Katie,” alleging her involvement in a crime and ordering her to transfer money for investigation. She was contacted repeatedly by this person.
On 16 Oct, Ms. Kwanruethai was told to carry out a mission, being deceived into retrieving evidence from suspects at the mall’s parking lot, with instructions given via LINE app constantly. She complied, receiving items from a Thai woman, then was ordered to take a taxi to a hotel to wait and deliver the evidence to officials arriving later.
At the hotel, she was instructed to open her bag for inspection, revealing gold jewelry and bars. Then Ms. Kwanruethai was told to sell two gold rings and remove gold amulets to sell at a gold shop, receiving 77,970 baht. She was ordered to transfer 20,000 baht to a specified account, and keep the remaining money as payment for the work and assistance to government operations.
She was then instructed to deliver the remaining gold to a man claiming to be an official near Soi Taksin 9/3. After handing over the gold, Ms. Kwanruethai returned to her residence, where police arrested her.
Later, investigators tracked and arrested Mr. Yam Chun Lam, the Malaysian man who claimed to be an official and went to receive the gold from Ms. Kwanruethai. He attempted a complex escape by repeatedly changing hired cars and motorcycles, walking to evade capture, disguising himself by changing clothes to conceal his identity. Police found he was hiding near Udomsuk Road and arrested him on 20 Oct at about 16:25 as he entered a hotel at Soi Udomsuk 25/1.
Further investigation revealed that the woman impersonating a DSI official named “Katie” ordered transfers to a bank account under Ms. Sraychat’s name, including 20,000 baht and the remaining 57,970 baht given to Ms. Kwanruethai. Officers found 57,920 baht hidden in a cat-shaped piggy bank, seized as evidence.
Police then summoned Ms. Thanyaya, the victim, to Bukkhalo Police Station to verify the property and identify the suspects. She recognized her four gold amulets and the gray long-sleeve jacket the perpetrator wore during the incident, confirming the images. Authorities therefore believe Ms. Kwanruethai committed criminal offenses.