Investigators at Lak Song Police Station set up a sting operation to arrest a Chinese call center gang caught red-handed defrauding a 70-year-old woman out of cash and gold bars, with total damages exceeding 8 million baht. Emboldened, the suspects contacted her again to threaten and demand an additional 1 million baht in cash.
On 15 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol. Maj. Gen. Pallop Aermla, Deputy Commissioner, Pol. Maj. Gen. Samart Promchat, Commander of Region 9, and Pol. Col. Lertsak Khiamsap, Chief of Lak Song Police Station, announced the arrest of Mr. Si Hu Qing Lu, 29, a Chinese national, on charges of public fraud by impersonation and deceit, and for inserting false or distorted computer data likely to cause public harm.
The case began on 13 Nov 2026 GMT+7 at 10:30 a.m., when Ms. Nawarat Prukthaweesap, 70, the victim, accompanied by a close friend, came to Lak Song Police Station seeking help after falling victim to a call center scam.
Ms. Nawarat reported that on 6 Nov at 12:20 p.m., the suspects called her, impersonating bank officials, claiming her account was involved in legal violations. They then persuaded her to add a contact on Line who claimed to be a police officer from Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station. Through intimidation, they instilled fear and convinced her to withdraw 4 million baht in cash from a bank branch in a department store near Bang Khae. She was instructed to deliver the money to a suspect who had booked a hotel room in Soi Phetkasem 80, Bang Khae Nuea, Bang Khae district, Bangkok. A male suspect collected the money alone. Later at 6:30 p.m. the same day, she handed over 45 baht weight of gold bars she had accumulated to the suspects, with total losses exceeding 8 million baht. The suspects persisted in threatening her repeatedly, demanding another 1 million baht in cash. She then decided to consult a friend who advised her to report to the police.
Pol. Lt. Col. Chaikamon Sudsena, head of Lak Song Police Station’s investigation unit, and his team devised a plan for the victim to deceive the suspects into a false sense of security by showing photos of the money. They arranged a meeting for the 1 million baht handover at the plaza entrance of a department store near Bang Khae. At the appointed time, Mr. Si Hu arrived to collect the money, and officers who had been surveilling the area arrested him red-handed. The suspect was taken to Pol. Sub Lt. Piyapong Sattrat, deputy investigator at Lak Song Police Station, for legal proceedings. Authorities are continuing efforts to track down other gang members.
The Metropolitan Police Bureau urges the public, especially seniors, to be cautious if contacted by phone or via Line app by individuals claiming to be bank or police officers who threaten or demand money transfers or asset submissions for inspection. Citizens should remain calm and not be deceived, as government officials do not require people to hand over cash or gold for examination. If suspicious behavior is observed, people can call the 191 hotline or contact their nearest police station anytime, 24 hours a day.