Bangkok: The Minister of Labour, in collaboration with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) police, announced the arrest of two individuals involved in a scam operation that deceived over 100 victims with false promises of employment abroad, resulting in losses exceeding 20 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, the CIB, through its Anti-Human Trafficking Division (AHTD), and the Ministry of Labour have taken decisive action against a fraudulent scheme targeting Thai workers. The operation led to the arrest of two suspects following the issuance of warrants by the Criminal Court. The suspects employed a front company to defraud job seekers, amassing nearly 20 million baht from more than 100 victims. The press conference was led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Natthasak Chaowanasai, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, and Mr. Julaphan Amornvivat, Minister of Labour, who announced the successful crackdown on the fraudulent company.
Mr. Chulaphan highlighted that the case involved fraudsters who misled individuals by claiming they could secure overseas employment. He acknowledged the swift action of the Central Investigation Bureau in apprehending the perpetrators and mitigating further harm. He stressed that the Ministry of Labour is committed to protecting Thai workers and that this operation marks a significant achievement for the CIB. The Department of Employment plans to collaborate more closely with the CIB to combat and prosecute similar labor fraud schemes.
The arrests of Mr. Thanakan, 23, and Mr. Tharatep, 23, were executed by police from Division 3 of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division on April 27, 2026, in Mae Sot District, Tak Province. They face charges of jointly defrauding the public and deceiving others by falsely claiming to arrange jobs or training abroad. Victims reported that between August 2025 and April 2026, they encountered a Facebook advertisement titled "Overseas Jobs," which promised agricultural work in New Zealand and Australia with high salaries and free accommodation.
The suspects convinced victims of job opportunities in New Zealand and Australia, involving tasks like fruit picking and farm work, with the promise of significant income. They required applicants to pay various fees, including contract, life insurance, visa, and currency exchange fees, amounting to over 162,750 baht. Many victims resorted to borrowing money or selling assets to meet these demands. However, when the supposed training date arrived, no training occurred, and the suspects became unreachable, prompting victims to report the scam to the police.
Investigations unveiled that the company was registered only at the end of August 2025 and began fraudulent activities in September. The training venue was never booked, and the suspects moved their assets before victims realized the scam. Initially, the suspects denied the fraud, claiming their role was limited to handling job application documents and passing information to another accomplice, Ms. Pichjira, for contract signing and payment. However, authorities are pursuing the remaining accomplices for prosecution.
The scammers used online channels to contact victims and arranged face-to-face meetings to build trust. Some victims were pressured with deadlines to make decisions, leading to financial transfers before realizing the scam. This case marks the first use of a legally registered front company by these suspects to establish credibility. Authorities urge Thai workers seeking overseas employment to verify information through legal channels, such as the Department of Employment or licensed recruitment agencies, and to contact the Ministry of Labour hotline to avoid falling victim to similar frauds.