NAKHON RATCHASIMA – Thai police have arrested a man identified only as “Winai” at a hotel in Chok Chai district on charges of facilitating mule bank accounts for a scam network operating out of Poipet, Cambodia.
According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Winai was caught while preparing to escort someone to open a new mule account. He had been under investigation for transnational fraud-related activities and had been wanted since late 2024, said Pol Maj Gen Atip Phongsiwapai, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division.
Investigators said Winai had previously convinced individuals to open accounts used in fraudulent schemes. His involvement surfaced in a case last year where eight suspects were arrested and assets worth 80 million baht were confiscated.
Winai’s role involved setting up mule accounts, installing mobile banking apps, and monitoring account activity for scammers based in Poipet. He reportedly earned a salary of 15,000 baht per month from a Chinese ringleader, along with a 1,000 baht bonus for every new account.
Following a crackdown on cross-border scams earlier in 2025, Winai allegedly returned to Thailand via a forest trail and resumed operations. He is believed to have arranged at least 200 mule accounts in Nakhon Ratchasima province alone.
Police say Winai admitted to the charges and confessed to opening mule accounts since 2023. Authorities are continuing investigations into the broader scam network.
