CHIANG RAI – A sophisticated call center gang has successfully scammed a senior temple abbot in Chiang Rai out of nearly 8.7 million baht. The heartbreaking fraud took place over more than a year, leaving the local community in complete shock.
Scammers posed as high-ranking police officers to convince the abbot that he was involved in a serious criminal investigation. They used fake documents to claim he was a suspect in a major money laundering case.
Key Takeaways:
- A Chiang Rai temple abbot lost almost 8.7 million baht to scammers posing as police officers.
- The victim transferred funds 207 times across 66 different bank accounts over a year and a half.
- Local police are currently investigating the massive fraud and updating the affected community.
According to recent reports from Matichon Online, the local temple committee and residents held an urgent meeting on August 8. The gathering aimed to address the shocking disappearance of temple funds and discuss the ongoing police investigation.
The scammers first contacted the abbot in 2025, claiming to be officers from a police station in Rayong province. They even presented fake online police IDs and official-looking documents to prove their false identities.
Fake Police Officers Target Temple Funds
Because the criminals seemed incredibly convincing, the abbot panicked and followed their strict instructions without question. They ordered him to share bank details and transfer large sums of money for an alleged background check.
After the initial transfer, the scammers continued to demand more money for fake bail and other fabricated legal fees. Between January 2025 and July 2026, the abbot made an astonishing 207 separate money transfers.
Unfortunately, the stolen money included both public temple donations and the abbot’s own personal life savings. The funds were scattered across 66 bank accounts, making it very difficult for local authorities to track them.
The criminals specifically targeted an older victim who was not familiar with modern digital banking tricks or online security measures. This sad reality highlights how easily trusting individuals can fall victim to these highly organized criminal networks.
Community Seeks Justice for Massive Loss
Eventually, the abbot noticed several suspicious details and decided to contact the Mae Chan Police Station for help. Officers quickly confirmed that the entire story was a complete lie created by professional scammers.
Right now, the police are working hard to track down the complex network of bank accounts used in the crime. Community leaders are also using this sad event to warn other temples about the rising threat of phone scams.
Local officials are urging residents to stay alert and never transfer money to unknown callers claiming to be police. It is crucial to verify any official claims by directly calling local police stations before taking any action.
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