8-6-2024 (BANGKOK) In a major breakthrough against transnational criminal networks funded by Chinese entities, Thai authorities have apprehended a suspected scammer who allegedly duped foreign victims under the guise of producing counterfeit Thai passports. The arrest, which took place on Saturday, is part of a nationwide crackdown aimed at dismantling these illicit operations.
Acting on a warrant issued on May 24 by the Phra Nakhon Tai Kwaeng Court, law enforcement officers swooped in to apprehend the 48-year-old suspect, identified only as Thanitpong, in the parking lot of an upscale condominium in Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng area. The suspect, wanted on fraud charges, had been offering his services to foreigners residing in Thailand, promising to produce Thai passports in exchange for a substantial deposit.
According to authorities, Thanitpong’s modus operandi involved demanding an initial payment of 600,000 baht (approximately $16,000) from his victims, with the funds being transferred to a bank account under the name “Tengyong.” However, after receiving the initial deposit, the suspect would then demand an additional 1.3 million baht (approximately $35,000) under the pretext of expediting the process.
The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by one of Thanitpong’s victims, who alleged that after transferring a total of 1.9 million baht (approximately $52,000), they had received no results from the suspect’s purported passport production services.
In a startling admission, Thanitpong confessed to the allegations, revealing that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, he had been engaged in a lucrative operation offering passport conversion services to foreigners who did not meet the requirements for Thai citizenship. His fees for these illegal services were a staggering 2.5 million baht (approximately $68,000) per person.
However, as Thai authorities intensified their crackdown on crimes funded by Chinese entities, Thanitpong’s illicit operation was forced to come to a halt, leading him to resort to the deceptive tactics that ultimately led to his arrest.
In a twist of events, Thanitpong revealed that his father was also wanted in connection with the case. However, in a bid to protect his father, the suspect requested to take full responsibility for the charges, claiming that his father was unaware of the fraudulent scheme.
The arrest of Thanitpong represents a significant victory for Thai law enforcement agencies in their ongoing battle against transnational criminal networks. These organizations, often funded by Chinese entities, have been known to engage in a wide range of illicit activities, from human trafficking and cybercrime to financial fraud and the production of counterfeit documents.
