CHANHABURI, Thailand — A former call centre scam accomplice who tried to evade arrest by becoming a monk has been captured by Thai police. The man, identified as Sopan, also known by his monastic name Phra O, was arrested on August 23 at a temple in Kaeng Hang Maeo district, Chanthaburi province.
The arrest followed an order from Police Major General Thassaphum Charuprach, commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division. Acting under a criminal court warrant (No. 4689/2024) issued on September 25, 2024, officers detained the 32-year-old for fraud by impersonation and entering false data into a computer system, crimes that caused widespread public harm.
Investigators revealed that Sopan had opened multiple bank accounts used by a call centre syndicate to scam victims, resulting in losses of over 6 million baht (approx. US$185,300). Following the warrant’s issue, he fled to Chanthaburi and entered the monkhood in an attempt to conceal his identity.
During interrogation, Sopan admitted to being lured into the scheme, initially paid 3,000 baht (US$92) per account he opened. He was later contacted via Facebook and recruited to work in Poipet, Cambodia, under promises of a monthly salary of 20,000–30,000 baht (US$620–$925).
However, upon arrival, he was confined with other Thai nationals and forced into participating in the scam. His role involved conducting facial recognition scans during fraudulent money transfers to authenticate identities. He said anyone who resisted or tried to flee was beaten or mysteriously disappeared.
When authorities froze the linked bank accounts, the gang abandoned him at the border. He returned to Thailand and ordained as a monk to avoid detection.
Following his arrest, Sopan was disrobed and handed over to Prachachuen police station to face charges, according to local news outlet KhaoSod.
