A 20-year-old Russian national, Mark Zhambalov, was arrested by Chon Buri Provincial Police on March 19 while withdrawing cash linked to a call centre scam operation from an ATM in Huai Yai, Chon Buri.
Authorities launched a crackdown after noticing suspicious behavior by foreign nationals making ATM withdrawals in the Na Jomtien area. The group conducted 198 withdrawals totaling over 4.6 million baht, including 93 withdrawals (~2.1 million baht) at an ATM outside a supermarket on Soi Na Jomtien 4, and 105 withdrawals (~2.5 million baht) at an ATM outside a convenience store.
During his arrest, police seized 96,000 baht in cash, an iPhone 13, and a blue Yamaha NMAX motorcycle as evidence.
Zhambalov was charged under Section 269/5 of the Criminal Law for using another person’s electronic card in a way likely to cause harm, carrying penalties of up to five years imprisonment or a 100,000 baht fine. He was also charged with fraud, punishable by up to three years imprisonment or a 60,000 baht fine.
Police noted that the investigation is ongoing and referenced a similar case in February, when a Russian woman and a Thai accomplice were arrested for withdrawing cash from multiple mule accounts.
This case is classified as an online call centre fraud / ATM mule operation, not a government impersonation scam.
