Bangkok: Wang Thonglang Police Station recently returned more than 1.3 million baht to individuals victimized by call center scams, offering relief after the Songkran festival. The latest recoveries include 700,000 and 450,000 baht returned to affected victims.
According to Thai News Agency, during the Songkran Thai New Year festival in 2026, Wang Thonglang Police Station initiated the 'Money Cash Back' project to aid victims of technology-related crimes, including call center scams, fraud, and online investment scams. Throughout April, they successfully assisted five victims, recovering a total of 1,333,650 baht. A significant case involved a victim deceived into transferring 700,000 baht to a scammer's account at the end of 2025. Authorities swiftly launched an investigation, froze the account, and worked with Krung Thai Bank's Bang Khun Non branch to return the entire amount to the victim on April 10, 2026.
The Superintendent of Wang Thonglang Police Station, Pol. Col. Jesada Yangnok, alongside Pol. Lt. Col. Marut Kaewprasert, Pol. Lt. Chakraphong Wongmakskul, and Pol. Lt. Chitipat Buakaew, played key roles in returning funds to the victims. In the most recent case, 450,661 baht was returned after a scam led victims to transfer over 560,000 baht. Investigators managed to freeze 450,661 baht before coordinating with the Government Savings Bank, Central Westgate Branch, to return the money on April 22, 2026.
Earlier, three other successful recoveries were made:
1. On April 1, 2026, a victim was refunded 126,989 baht.
2. On April 3, 2026, a victim received 10,000 baht.
3. On April 10, 2026, a victim recovered 46,000 baht.
The total amount refunded in these cases is 182,989 baht.
The Superintendent emphasized ongoing efforts to trace financial trails and recover funds to mitigate the impact of online crimes. These efforts are part of broader initiatives to safeguard citizens' lives and property, manage traffic, and enforce laws to reduce road accidents during the Songkran festival in 2026. The public is advised to be cautious of investment schemes with unusually high returns and impersonators of government officials, and to verify information before transferring money: "Do not transfer, do not believe, do not click on links." Suspicious activities should be reported to the police immediately at 191.