Phuket Cash Withdrawals Expose Nationwide Call-Centre Scam Network in B12.2mn Fraud Case

Large cash withdrawals in Phuket have helped investigators uncover a nationwide call-centre scam network allegedly involved in defrauding an elderly woman of more than 12.2 million baht in life savings.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), working through the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), arrested 30 suspects during simultaneous raids at 30 locations across 11 provinces, including Phuket.

The investigation began after the Anti-Online Fraud Center (ACSC) identified suspicious financial activity involving large amounts of cash being withdrawn in Phuket. Investigators linked the transactions to a case in Kalasin, where an elderly woman was allegedly deceived by scammers posing as police officers from Tha Uthen Police Station in Nakhon Phanom.

According to investigators, the scammers told the woman that she was suspected of involvement in money laundering. They allegedly threatened her and pressured her into transferring more than 12.2 million baht to bank accounts controlled by the criminal network.

Authorities believe the operation was run by a Chinese national and had a clearly organised structure. Different members allegedly acted as callers, interpreters and recruiters of so-called “mule accounts”, while others were responsible for controlling account holders and arranging cash withdrawals.

Investigators believe the money was withdrawn in Phuket before being moved to a digital asset exchange. It was then reportedly converted into USDT and transferred to digital wallets in Cambodia in an attempt to conceal the origin of the funds.

The network has so far been linked to more than 20 additional fraud cases, with combined reported losses exceeding 20 million baht. Authorities also found that more than 200 million baht had circulated through bank accounts associated with the network.

Among those arrested were suspects identified as Anisara, 25, Sattha, 54, and Rittiporn, 30. They were detained under warrants issued by the Criminal Court and face charges including jointly forming an organised criminal group, defrauding the public through impersonation, forging and using forged official documents, entering false information into computer systems and money laundering.

During the operation, police seized 30 mobile phones and 15 bank passbooks. Officers also froze 18 bank accounts connected to the investigation, which together held approximately 7 million baht.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to investigators from CSD Division 3 for further legal proceedings.

Authorities said that almost all of the suspects initially admitted receiving money into their bank accounts and keeping an agreed portion of the proceeds. However, investigators have not yet established whether they knew the money had originated from fraudulent activity.

The nationwide operation was carried out under the direction of CIB Commander Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai, CSD Commander Pol Maj Gen Pattanasak Bubphasuwan and CSD Division 3 Superintendent Pol Col Suriyasak Chirawas.