AMLO is prepared to investigate the financial channels involved in cheating on local civil service exams, aiming to trace the source.
Following the case where the NACC inspected a company in a suburban area and found altered answer sheets used in local civil service entrance exams to help paying candidates pass, investigations have expanded with police involvement. Coordination is being arranged with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to examine the financial trails.
Thairath Online’s special task force interviewed Mr. Wittaya Neethitham, Deputy Secretary-General and spokesperson of AMLO, who reported that complaints about corruption in civil service exams have been frequent, especially cases demanding money without guaranteeing success. In this recent local exam cheating case, complaints led authorities to raid a company altering answer sheets. This is the first time clear evidence was found, including individuals editing exam files. The financial turnover involved is estimated at billions of baht.
Moving forward, the NACC and the Central Investigation Bureau will consider referring the case for AMLO to investigate the financial aspects of the local exam fraud. This examination requires credible witness and documentary evidence convincing enough for AMLO’s financial transactions committee. Video or audio clips must also undergo multiple verification steps to confirm the speakers’ identities. Such evidence alone is not sufficient; corroborating information is required.
Currently, primary agencies involved—the NACC and Central Investigation Bureau—are gathering preliminary evidence. Recent discussions indicate the possibility of involving AMLO to assist in identifying additional financial evidence related to the fraud.
There is now a list of targeted individuals based on available information. The initial step will be reviewing data from financial institutions. However, detailed scrutiny of all accounts and assets requires strong evidence. AMLO is conducting preliminary checks but cannot yet definitively identify suspicious financial flows.
The cheating network involved in local civil service exams is definitely organized, but those caught so far appear to be the "workers" carrying out tasks. Extracting exam files is unlikely to be done by ordinary individuals; it requires a network connected to influential people responsible for exam administration.
This is a major case requiring caution because those capable of such fraud likely have confidence and backgrounds suggesting they will be protected if caught. There is also a possibility that this group may repeat their offenses.
The money laundering methods used by the exam fraud group range from basic steps—such as converting money into asset purchases and bank deposits—to transferring funds to second or third parties. They may even open restaurants or companies to pay taxes, blending illicit income with legitimate business revenue. Without thorough monitoring, these can serve as effective money laundering schemes.
Other laundering tactics include transferring money to related persons, close associates, nominees, or mule accounts. A particularly concerning method is converting funds into digital assets, which conceal identities. Typically, perpetrators do not conduct transactions themselves.
This cheating fraud is believed to involve assets larger than any previously encountered case, with thousands of participants implicated.
Regarding vulnerabilities in corruptly buying government positions, the AMLO Deputy Secretary-General explained that such acts cannot occur unless officials allow them. Reviewing tender documents would clarify this, especially since answer sheets are stored in warehouses after exams but exam files must be delivered on the same day. Control over opening and closing these files is a suspicious loophole.
"Those involved in the network must come forward as witnesses and provide information to expose those behind the scenes. Otherwise, they will face consequences alone. The law allows for witness protection, so those who cooperate may receive reduced penalties or none at all," he said.