CHIANG RAI – Investigators from Thailand’s Region 6 police say they tracked down another suspect tied to an alleged online investment scam that used the Amazon platform as a cover. While making the arrest in Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai, officers also say they uncovered a separate group accused of moving cash across the border using mule accounts. Police detained three more people and are still hunting four others.
Police said the case started after a victim filed a complaint on February 1, 2026, with investigators at Phrom Phiram Police Station in Phitsanulok. The victim reported being tricked into “investing” in online product sales through Amazon. After transferring money, the promised returns never came. The reported loss totaled 2,193,416 baht.
Arrest warrant case, third suspect caught in Chiang Saen
Investigators from the Region 6 Investigation Division collected evidence and obtained arrest warrants for three suspects on charges related to public fraud. Police had already arrested:
- Ms. Krittiyanee (last name withheld)
- Ms. Nicha (last name withheld)
Later, police arrested the third suspect:
- Mr. Kritsada (last name withheld), described as a “cash-withdrawal mule account” operator
Officers said they found and arrested him in the Chiang Saen district, Chiang Rai.
Police said Mr. Kritsada tried to run during the operation. While chasing him, officers reported seeing Ms. Saensouk (also known as Ying), a Lao national, throw items behind a house. Officers detained her and searched her belongings.
Police said they found:
- A mobile phone
- 104,000 baht in cash in a bag she was carrying
- Several bank passbooks and ATM cards, reportedly not in her name
After that, officers searched the residence and said they found 7 methamphetamine pills (yaba) linked to Mr. Nattakorn (last name withheld).
Police also searched the home connected to Mr. Kritsada in Village 3, Wiang subdistrict, Chiang Saen. Officers said they seized:
- Bank passbooks
- ATM cards
- Mobile phones with SIM cards
They brought Mr. Kritsada to the Chiang Saen Police Station for questioning and expanded the investigation. After follow-up work, police said they arrested three additional suspects accused of withdrawing money from mule accounts:
- Mr. Sarawut
- Ms. Wanphen
- Mr. Nattakorn
The group moved cash across the border
Investigators also described a group they believe handled withdrawals and then moved pooled cash across the border. Police identified roles as follows:
- Mr. Sitthichai (aka Tee), accused of directing the cash-withdrawal team and coordinating with a Chinese network on the Lao side (police say he is still at large)
- Mr. Chets (full name unknown), accused of withdrawing money from mule accounts (still at large)
- Ms. Saensouk (aka Ying), accused of withdrawing cash and collecting money to pass to Chinese contacts (arrested)
- Mr. Dome (full name unknown), accused of withdrawing money (still at large)
Police said the withdrawal team followed instructions from “Tee.” According to investigators, once money landed in the mule accounts, the group used phones or ATM cards to withdraw cash at ATMs.
After that, they pooled the cash and prepared it for delivery to contacts on the Lao side. The group earned about 1,000 to 2,000 baht per day, and could receive extra pay when withdrawals were larger.
Police said Mr. Sarawut and Ms. Wanphen gave matching statements. They claimed Mr. Chokchai (aka Arm) asked them to find mule accounts in exchange for 1,000 baht.
Police said the pair then persuaded Ms. Nee to open a bank account for 3,000 baht. Investigators added that Mr. Sarawut provided a phone used to link to the newly opened account.
Next, police said Mr. Sarawut and Ms. Wanphen brought the linked phone, passbook, and ATM card to Chiang Saen. Officers believe they handed the mule-account set to Mr. Nattakorn, who allegedly connected the accounts to the cash-withdrawal operation and cross-border handoffs.
Police said they arrested the Thai suspects involved in mule-account withdrawals on allegations tied to organizing and arranging mule accounts and electronic banking tools for crimes linked to tech-related offenses and other criminal activity.
Officers transferred the suspects to investigators at Chiang Saen Police Station for legal action.
In addition, police said Mr. Nattakorn faces drug charges related to possession and use of methamphetamine (yaba) after officers found 7 pills. Ms. Saensouk, a Lao national, also faces an immigration-related charge for allegedly staying in Thailand without permission.
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