BANGKOK, Thailand – The Metropolitan Police Bureau, in collaboration with the 115th Criminal Investigation Course Attendees, arrested Supornchai, a 34-year-old man, under a criminal court warrant for charges of fraud, impersonation, and computer-related crimes. The arrest took place along a roadside in Soi Ruam Pradit, Dusit District, on August 29.
The investigation revealed that the victim had received a message from a Facebook user named “Jame William,” claiming that a package would be sent to them from abroad. The victim was then asked to pay a customs fee of 20,000 baht. On May 13, at 9:50 AM, the victim transferred the payment from their bank account to an account registered under Supornchai’s name. Realizing they had likely been scammed, the victim reported the incident to the police.
During the arrest, Supornchai admitted to being contacted by a woman named Ms. Wan, who asked him to open a new bank account and SIM card using his ID card. He was paid 1,000 baht for opening the account. Ms. Wan later informed him that a 10,000 baht transfer had been made to the account, but instructed him not to act on it immediately as the amount was too small. When an additional 20,000 baht was transferred, bringing the total to 30,000 baht, Ms. Wan asked Supornchai to withdraw the money using an ATM, with Supornchai keeping 20,000 baht and giving 10,000 baht to Ms. Wan. He used the money for car repairs and shared some with his wife. Following his arrest, Supornchai was taken to Bang Khen Police Station for further legal action.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradet Thamsuthee issued a warning to the public about the dangers of “Romance Scams,” where perpetrators deceive victims into believing they are in a romantic relationship to gain their trust and exploit them financially. These criminals often use photos of attractive or authoritative-looking individuals, posing as trustworthy figures on social media, dating websites, and apps.
To avoid becoming a victim, the public is advised not to trust online acquaintances easily, never transfer money to strangers, and be cautious about sharing personal information online. Additionally, people should ensure their online accounts are secure by using strong, hard-to-guess passwords and avoiding public status updates. (TNA)
