4 nabbed over B3bn US scam

An Indian man and three Thai women were detained for questioning during police raids on 36 premises in four provinces yesterday, targeting phone scammers who tricked 365 elderly Americans into sending them more than 3 billion baht.

The morning raids in Chon Buri, Rayong, Samut Prakan and Roi Et provinces were led by Pol Gen Torsak Sukwimol, the deputy national police chief, and Pol Lt Gen Worawat Watnakhonbancha, commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). Police commandos, CCIB officers and officials from the AntiMoney Laundering Office were also involved.

At a house in tambon Nong Phrue in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district, bank account books, 10 mobile phones, four cars and one pistol with ammunition were seized. The owner, an Indian man, and three Thai women were arrested and taken in for questioning.

Pol Gen Torsak said it was a joint operation against international crime and involved the Royal Thai Police, the FBI and the US Secret Service.

The two US agencies received reports that many US citizens had fallen victim to phone scammers claiming to be FBI agents. They were fooled into transferring money “for examination”. They were told there were unusual transactions linked to their bank accounts, Pol Gen Torsak said. Most of the victims were 60 years or over.

Over the past two years, 365 Americans had been swindled out of the equivalent of more than 3 billion baht by these scammers, the deputy national police chief said.

Investigators learned the conmen based their operations in Thailand.

National police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas ordered the CCIB to investigate, which led to yesterday’s raids, he said. More details will be revealed today.