Nonthaburi: A high-ranking source in the Crime Suppression Division revealed that the investigation into civil service exam fraud began with complaints from those who had taken the local government exam using their own abilities, as well as those who had paid money to the scheme, hoping to be among the 6,000 successful candidates out of over 400,000 applicants. Some were not appointed and filed complaints with the Crime Suppression Division. The investigation revealed that the scheme involved 9,000 people, with varying amounts ranging from 300,000 to 900,000 baht, resulting in damages exceeding 4 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, authorities investigated and discovered that a residence in Nonthaburi was operating as a company, Sam Mueang Charoen Rungruangkit Co., Ltd. They found that several government officials were gathered at the location to receive and manipulate exam documents. Ten suspects were arrested, along with evidence of exam fraud. Interrogations and further investigation revealed that the operation involved multiple individuals, particularly "Mr. Pichit," the mastermind. Mr. Pichit paid one of the ten government officials, identified as "Mr. Ch," to manage the process of receiving copies of the exam documents from the examination centers to the company before distributing them to various regions.
The method used to alter exam scores in the cheating scheme involved copying the original exam scores, comparing them to the answer key to determine the correct answers, and using a red pen to mark the correct answer box. This altered score was then modified in computer software to achieve a passing score before the modified copy was scanned back into the system.
There is also one more key figure, who is currently at large. This individual is responsible for collecting the exam scores of those who paid for the fraudulent tests, copying the data onto a flash drive, and delivering it to a company in Nonthaburi province. However, the original exam results are stored in a warehouse belonging to the Department of Local Administration (DLA). The results are kept in this warehouse for two years before being destroyed. This is a standard procedure and regulation, which is acknowledged as a loophole because it makes it impossible to review results from previous years.
High-ranking sources believe the operation has been going on for more than two years, based on the money trails connecting to other individuals, as the financial records of one of the suspects are linked to 2024.
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has the authority to file charges against individuals involved in criminal conspiracy, as their actions were found to be a coordinated scheme related to local government exam fraud. They will also take action against those who disseminated information from the Ministry of Interior, as per the Ministry's complaint. However, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will handle other offenses. If the NACC decides to delegate authority to the CSD, it will be at the discretion of the NACC committee.