BANGKOK, Thailand – A rector of a well-known university has fallen victim to an online scam, losing over 38 million baht in a fraudulent stock-trading scheme. Metropolitan Police investigators confirmed that they have managed to freeze more than 3 million baht and are tracing links to at least 20 mule accounts.
Pol Maj Gen Pallop Aramla, acting commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, and Pol Maj Gen Chotiwat Lueangwilai, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division, personally questioned the victim today at Bang Sue Police Station.
The case came to light after bank officials detected unusual withdrawals from the rector’s account and transfers to corporate accounts totaling nearly 2 million baht. Police investigations revealed the funds were funneled into sham companies and could not be withdrawn by the victim, confirming the involvement of a call-center scam network.
The victim said he was lured into investing through a platform that claimed backing from a famous investment figure. He was persuaded to join “big lot” trades with others via a Line chat group. Over one month, he transferred money more than 10 times, totaling 38 million baht. While the platform appeared to show profits, he never withdrew any funds.
Police also discovered that another 40 million baht was set aside by the rector for future investment, which was prevented thanks to the intervention. A second victim filed a similar complaint at Hua Mak Police Station, reporting losses of over 6 million baht.
Investigators are expanding the probe, focusing on mule accounts and those who withdrew cash from ATMs across multiple provinces. (TNA)
