BANGKOK, Thailand — Thai Immigration Police have raided a visa consultancy in Bangkok after a European embassy raised concerns over suspicious bank statements submitted by Thai applicants seeking visas to travel to Europe. The embassy alerted Thai authorities after several visa applications were found to contain financial documents suspected of being falsified, particularly bank statements submitted as proof of funds.
On August 12, investigators from Immigration Division 3 obtained a search warrant from the Min Buri Criminal Court and searched the office of a visa consultancy in Sai Mai district, Bangkok. Officers seized fake rubber stamps bearing the names of banks and other organizations, more than 20 suspected forged financial documents and four desktop computers believed to have been used to produce or alter documents for visa applications. Immigration officials subsequently compared documents supplied by the embassy with records from the banks named on the statements. They identified similar irregularities in five cases. The names of applicants did not match the actual bank-account holders, while transaction records had allegedly been altered and did not correspond with information confirmed by the banks.
Investigators also found that the same foreign bank credit card number had been used to cover travel expenses for all five applicants, raising further suspicions about the documents and applications. The search uncovered numerous additional items, including rubber stamps bearing the names of commercial banks, forged salary certificates, altered bank statements and other financial documents. The four computers were also seized for forensic examination as investigators work to identify other people involved.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 3, said the preliminary investigation had identified more than 400 clients connected to the company. The firm allegedly charged each customer about 40,000 baht for its services, putting the potential value of the business at more than 16 million baht. Authorities said the suspected conduct could constitute offenses involving the joint forgery and use of forged documents under Sections 264, 265 and 268 of Thailand’s Criminal Code, as well as offenses relating to the forgery of official seals under Sections 251 and 252.
The exact charges will depend on the results of forensic examinations, witness statements and the investigation. Immigration authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and that evidence seized during the raid will be examined to determine whether additional applicants, staff members or other parties were involved in the alleged document-forgery operation.
Public Advisory
Immigration authorities urged members of the public who encounter or have information about suspected immigration-related offenses to report the matter to the Immigration Bureau.
Immigration Bureau
904 Moo 6, Ban Mai, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand
Telephone: Contact the Immigration Office in your local province
Website: Immigration Bureau — www.immigration.go.th
