NONTHABURI, Thailand – A 35-year-old man wanted on four arrest warrants was arrested after allegedly opening a bank account for a scam gang in exchange for just 400 baht, leaving him facing fraud-related charges linked to reported losses of nearly 1 million baht. The arrest was carried out by officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), working with the Crime Suppression Division, following an investigation into the use of so-called mule accounts in online fraud cases.
The suspect, identified as Kittichot, 35, was wanted under arrest warrants issued in connection with allegations of public fraud and offences under Thailand’s Computer Crime Act. According to investigators, the man became involved in the scheme after being approached by a scam gang and persuaded to travel to a neighboring country for what he was told would be a job paying 20,000 baht.
The promised payment did not materialize. Instead, investigators said he ultimately received only 400 baht for opening a bank account that was allegedly used as a mule account for fraudulent transactions. The account was subsequently linked to fraud affecting several victims, with the combined reported financial damage approaching 1 million baht.
The case highlights the risks faced by people who agree to open bank accounts or allow others to use their financial accounts in exchange for small payments. Such accounts can be used by criminal networks to receive and transfer money obtained through scams, while the account holder may face criminal charges. CIB officers arrested the suspect and handed him over to investigators at Bang Kruai Police Station in Nonthaburi for further legal proceedings. The investigation into the fraud network and the use of the mule account is continuing.
