CHIANG RAI – Police from the Technology Crime Suppression Division executed search warrants at two locations in Chiang Rai, and arrested Mr. Tharathapong (surname withheld), 49, from Khon Kaen, who was wanted under a Provincial Court warrant.
Cyber police also arrested Mr. Yutthapong (surname withheld), 46, and Ms. Saengyot (surname withheld), 44, wanted under warrants related to fraudulent use of electronic cards issued to specific individuals, involving illegal payment of goods, services, or debt substitution, or unauthorized cash withdrawals, causing likely harm to others or the public.
Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiewphan, Chief of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, explained that a group targeted victims by persuading them to sell their LINE accounts.
These accounts were then used to register for Line BK, an app tied to financial transactions, which was later exploited for illegal financial operations. Police Major General Kritachaya Bamrungrattanayot, Commander of Technology Crime Suppression Division, and Police Colonel Komsan Meepakdee, Superintendent of Investigation Division, led the investigation that resulted in the arrests.
Police Maj. Gen. Kritachaya said this method is a new way for criminals to obtain mule accounts. Police stressed the need to inform the public about these scams, which are often run by major call centre networks, many of which operate from Cambodia.
Police Colonel Komsan Meepakdee noted that the offences took place in the border areas of Chiang Rai, where most victims were elderly. Criminals approached them under the guise of buying their LINE accounts. Many sellers believed they were simply selling an unused account, not realizing the account would be used as a mule for illegal activity.
Through the Line app, there is a service called Line BK, a collaboration between Kasikornbank and LINE, which allows users to conduct various financial transactions, including money transfers, withdrawals, and loan applications. These accounts do not require a physical bankbook.
After linking their bank account to the app, victims’ details were used by thieves to make illegal transactions.
The three people arrested today acted as cash collectors in Thailand, withdrawing hundreds of thousands of baht per person each day, then delivering the money to contacts in Laos at border piers in Chiang Khong district. They received a commission of 1.5% of the withdrawn amount.
On average, each of the suspects withdrew between 300,000 and 500,000 baht from ATMs daily. Police have contacted victims who unknowingly sold their LINE accounts. Some understood their accounts could link to financial services, while others, particularly older people, did not realize their accounts could be used for online banking transactions, leaving them at risk.
Lt. Gen. Trirong urged the public to stay alert to criminals trying to obtain Line BK accounts. Because Line BK functions much like a banking app, scammers may ask people to verify their identity and open a new account.
He stressed that this is another method used by mule account operators, which is likely to become more widespread on social media. Those who sell their accounts may be prosecuted as suspects, not treated as victims.
