Student held in online fake docs scam

Police have arrested a student who produced fake documents and sold them online, including ID cards and education certificates.

Bussarinyos Kongtuk, 18, of Surat Thani, was nabbed at an apartment in Soi Phetkasem 77/5, Nong Khaem district of Bangkok as he was working on a photoshop programme on his computer to produce fake official papers.

Mr Bussarinyos said he rented the apartment after he was accepted to study at a nearby university and was waiting to enrol in the institute when the new academic term opens in a few weeks.

Police seized from him a computer notebook, a printer, and several seal stamps of various institutions including Ramkhamhaeng University and well-known schools, as well as the education permanent secretary’s office. Police also found in the room a fake citizenship ID card and two tour guide licences.

The suspect told police he opened an online page under the name of Bussaba Srichaikha to receive orders for fake official documents, such as university transcripts and driver’s licences. He charged customers between 1,000 and 7,500 baht for the documents which he mailed to customers.

Mr Bussarinyos said he learned to falsify the documents from his ex-boyfriend. He said he decided to enter into the illegal trade because he needed money to pay for his tuition and the rent.

He also told police some customers were young teenagers who wanted him to make them ID cards so they could go to the pub. Others told him they needed a card which understates their age as they were too old to apply for certain jobs they wanted.

Pol Col Nithithorn Jintakanont, deputy chief of the Tourist Police Division, said Mr Bussarinyos has been charged with falsifying official documents, an offence which carries a jail term of between six months to five years and a fine of between 1,000 baht and 10,000 baht. He was remained in custody.

The deputy commander said the offence threatened national security. A concealed identity allowed ill-intentioned individuals to stage unrest.

Police were also looking into the suspect’s computer history to find information about his customers.

The Office of the Vocational Education Commission yesterday said it was checking the authenticity of the education certificates submitted by people who applied for placements in vocational schools and colleges.