BANGKOK, Thailand – Authorities have arrested seven suspects for operating a major online scam network that defrauded nearly 1,000 concertgoers out of over 3.7 million baht. The Anti-Cyber Scam Center (ACSC) and the Central Investigation Bureau apprehended the suspects—including the alleged mastermind, mule account holders, and cash withdrawers—during raids across Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, and Phuket on Wednesday. The arrests followed numerous complaints to cyber police regarding fraudulent ticket sales on social media platform X. Investigators said the syndicate targeted fans of sold-out concerts and music festivals by using high-follower X accounts to advertise altered, watermarked images of genuine e-tickets.
To build trust, the group used doctored identification cards matching their mule accounts. Once victims transferred the funds, the money was routed through multiple accounts and immediately withdrawn as cash. Police seized 10 bank books, four phones, and a vehicle. A digital forensic review uncovered over 350 X accounts linked to at least 739 fraud cases, though authorities believe many more victims have yet to come forward. (TNA)
