CHIANG RAI – Mae Chan police in Chiang Rai successfully arrested a 29-year-old scammer. They identified the suspect as Taweesak, who worked for a regional call center gang. He collected cash from victims manipulated by the criminal syndicate.
Police apprehended him at a roadside hut in Mae Chan district on November 2. They formally charged him with public fraud and extortion. This arrest highlights the ongoing fight against regional cybercrime.
Key Takeaways
- Police in Chiang Rai arrested a 29-year-old man collecting extortion money for a scam gang.
- Scammers coerced a university student to withdraw 360,000 Baht by pretending to be a police officer.
- Criminals continuously monitored the victim via a 24-hour video call to ensure her compliance.
The investigation began when an alert citizen noticed suspicious behavior at a local hotel. A young woman stayed in her room continuously and seemed highly anxious. This prompted Mae Chan investigators to keep a close watch on her movements.
Officers followed the female university student to a local bank branch. She nervously withdrew a large amount of cash before taking a motorcycle taxi. Police tracked her to a roadside hut on the new Doi Tung road.
She left 200,000 Baht inside the hut while staying on the phone the entire time. Shortly after she left, Taweesak arrived to collect the cash in his bag. Officers immediately moved in, arresting him after a brief attempt to flee.
Scammers Adopt New Tactics to Avoid Police Detection
During questioning, Taweesak confessed he was hired by a mysterious boss in Laos. He received 2,000 Baht per job and communicated exclusively through the Telegram application. He admitted to performing this specific cash pickup role three times previously.
Police searched his home and discovered an additional 170,000 Baht from another victim. In total, authorities seized 378,400 Baht, a motorcycle, and two mobile phones. Investigators are now tracing the financial routes to identify the masterminds.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Songkrit Ontakrai praised the vigilant citizen who reported the suspicious activity. He warned the public that scammers still use intimidation to manipulate vulnerable victims. They falsely claim to be state officials to create intense fear and urgency.
Extortion Through Constant Video Surveillance and Fear
According to investigators, scammers posed as police officers from Buri Ram province. They threatened the student with fake money laundering charges and fake arrest warrants. The criminals ordered her to travel to Chiang Rai to prove her innocence.
The gang instructed her to lie to her mother about a university travel program. This false story allowed her to secure the large sum of money without raising suspicion. The criminals exploited her lack of legal knowledge and deep fear of prosecution.
Shockingly, the scammers forced the victim to stay on a 24-hour video call. She had to keep her phone and iPad cameras on even while sleeping. This intense surveillance prevented her from seeking help from friends or actual authorities.
Police advise everyone to immediately hang up on unknown callers making serious legal threats. Real law enforcement will never ask citizens to leave cash at random locations. If you receive such calls, contact your local police station right away.
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