27-9-2024 (BANGKOK) A Chinese national, who had fallen victim to an elaborate international fraud scheme resulting in the loss of over 8 million baht, has been safely located in Samut Prakan, Thailand, after her family raised concerns about her sudden disappearance.
Song Xiuhua, 42, was discovered by officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) in an apartment in Bang Phli district, following a request for assistance from the Chinese embassy in Bangkok. The embassy had been alerted by Ms Song’s family, who feared for her safety after receiving ransom demands from apparent kidnappers.
CSD commander Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan revealed that the search was initiated after scammers contacted Ms Song’s mother, Li Jianshe, via WeChat. The fraudsters claimed that her daughter was being held against her will in Thailand and demanded a ransom of 2.5 million yuan (approximately 11.5 million baht) for her release.
The complex web of deception began on April 11 when Ms Song received a call from an individual posing as a Chinese police officer. The caller alleged that her phone number was linked to a human trafficking operation and insisted that she transfer money to prove her innocence. This initial contact set in motion a series of events that would see Ms Song transfer over 8 million baht to various bank accounts in China and Europe.
Pol Col Manoon Kaewkam, superintendent of CSD sub-division 1, detailed Ms Song’s journey from Germany to Thailand on August 15. Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport, she was instructed by the scammers to travel to a series of accommodations, changing locations up to eight times before being found by authorities.
The fraudsters maintained control over Ms Song through constant surveillance, requiring her to keep a Skype video call active at all times and forbidding her from showing her passport to anyone. They also coerced her into recording a video message for her mother, which was later used as part of their ransom scheme.
When initially questioned by Thai authorities, Ms Song appeared reluctant to accept that she had been deceived. She claimed to be in Thailand for a job involving CCTV footage surveys and denied any knowledge of an abduction. It was only after officers facilitated a conversation with her parents that the full extent of the scam began to unravel.
The case highlights the sophisticated nature of modern international fraud operations, which can manipulate victims over extended periods and across multiple countries. Thai authorities are now working closely with their Chinese counterparts to investigate the fraud ring responsible for Ms Song’s ordeal.
Pol Col Manoon emphasised that Ms Song’s mother had not transferred any ransom money, despite the scammers’ demands. He also noted that the victim had been threatened with legal consequences if she revealed her situation to anyone, further complicating efforts to assist her.
