Bangkok: Secret chat messages from a fake account have unveiled a massive investment scam, leading to the arrest of a broker involved in providing fake accounts for the scheme. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), in collaboration with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), carried out the arrest under the leadership of Pol. Lt. Gen. Natthasak Chaowanasai, Commander of the CIB, Pol. Maj. Gen. Pattanasak Bubphasuwan, Commander of the CSD, and Pol. Col. Netiwit Thanasitnitikul, Superintendent of Division 2, CSD, with orders from Pol. Lt. Adisorn Intiyos, Inspector of Division 2, CSD. Ms. Thanyarat, 46, was apprehended at an apartment in Saraphi District, Chiang Mai Province, on charges of conspiracy to defraud the public by impersonating another person and conspiracy to input false or misleading computer data into a computer system, among others.

According to Thai News Agency, the arrest was the culmination of a thorough investigation following numerous reports of victims being deceived into investing through a computer system. The victims were misled into transferring money to criminals through over 50 nominee accounts linked to various entities, leading to damages exceeding 100 million baht. The Crime Suppression Division's further investigations revealed that Ms. Thanyarat was a director of a nominee company that had received over 3 million baht from the victims, after which she fled to Chiang Mai. Her background revealed previous involvement with call center and online gambling gangs in neighboring countries. Upon her return to Thailand, she collaborated with former colleagues to establish nominee companies and bank accounts for online fraud and gambling activities.

The authorities seized significant evidence, including chat conversations on the suspect's mobile phone, which clearly outlined the fraudulent scheme. The suspect, who boasted about his experience in human resources and call center management, recruited individuals to open bank accounts in exchange for monthly commissions. These accounts were used for an online gambling website in Malaysia, with payments promised for a minimum of six months. The conversations also revealed derogatory remarks about the victims, indicating a strategy of recruiting "stupid people" for financial gain. The suspect confessed to all charges and was handed over to the investigating officers at Khlong Tan Police Station for further legal proceedings.