Bangkok: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Anti-Online Fraud Center have successfully dismantled a fraudulent gang posing as investment advisors, arresting six individuals involved in a complex scam operation. The suspects were apprehended following a coordinated effort by the Crime Suppression Division and the Anti-Online Fraud Operation Unit, who executed arrest warrants on charges of public fraud, data forgery, and money laundering. During the operation, authorities seized evidence including cash, gold bracelets, and mobile phones.
According to Thai News Agency, the scam originated from a victim’s interaction with a woman named “Omnisha” on Line chat. Using a profile picture of a fair-skinned woman, she portrayed herself as a reliable investment advisor, enticing the victim to invest in global gold markets through short-term trading sessions. The victim, persuaded by the scammer’s promises, invested a total of 11,645,000 baht. However, when attempting to access the trading application, the victim discovered it had vanished, and all attempts to contact “Omnisha” failed. Realizing the deception, the victim filed a complaint with investigators at Bueng Kum Police Station.
The Anti-Online Fraud Center’s data analysis division provided crucial information to the Crime Suppression Division’s Division 4, aiding in the identification and apprehension of the scam network. Investigations revealed the criminals employed sophisticated methods to conceal their activities, using three main channels to receive funds from victims. These included transferring money through a network of bank accounts, delivering cash in person to locations in Ratchaburi and Bangkok, and utilizing cash withdrawal gangs to funnel money to a Chinese boss.
Further investigation led to the issuance of arrest warrants for seven suspects, with the arrests carried out across various locations. Assets belonging to the suspects were confiscated and handed over to Bueng Kum Police Station for continued legal action.
During initial interrogations, some suspects confessed while others denied involvement. Authorities issued a public warning, urging individuals not to be misled by appealing profiles or unsolicited chat invitations and to verify before transferring funds.