BANGKOK, Thailand – Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) police have arrested a 52-year-old businesswoman wanted in connection with an alleged investment scam that resulted in a victim transferring more than Bt21.4 million over five years. The woman, identified as Ms Chanita, was arrested at a house on Kanchanaphisek Road in Thap Chang, Saphan Sung district, Bangkok, under an arrest warrant issued by Mae Sariang Provincial Court on July 23, 2026.
She faces charges of jointly defrauding the public and allegedly entering distorted, falsified or false information into a computer system in a manner likely to cause public harm. The case dates back to around 2019, when the victim reportedly became acquainted with another suspect, identified as Ms Saijai, after regularly attending merit-making activities at a temple in Pathum Thani province.
The two became close, and Saijai later introduced the victim to Chanita. The suspects allegedly told the victim about a project called 57TR, claiming participants could submit business proposals to obtain financial support from the World Bank to develop and expand their businesses.
The victim, who already operated a sawmill business, reportedly became interested in obtaining funding to expand the operation and asked the suspects to help coordinate the application.
According to investigators, the suspects subsequently persuaded the victim to make multiple payments, claiming the money was needed for travel, accommodation and various fees related to processing the project. Between January 7, 2019 and March 9, 2024, the victim allegedly made 231 transfers totaling Bt21,401,799.
CIB investigators later traced Chanita to a residence in Thap Chang and obtained a search warrant from the Min Buri Criminal Court before arresting her. She was taken to Mae Sariang Police Station for further legal proceedings. During initial questioning, Chanita denied all charges. She acknowledged knowing the victim but maintained that the 57TR project was still being processed and had not yet been completed. Police are continuing legal proceedings in the case and investigating the alleged involvement of other suspects.
