A 36-year-old woman named Wipha from Rawai has been arrested for her alleged involvement in a major investment scam, which defrauded victims of over 36 million baht.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), with support from the Highway Police Division, detained Wipha at her home in Soi Samakee 2 after a thorough investigation. She is facing charges of fraud, impersonation, and falsifying computer data.
Wipha is said to have played a pivotal role in a criminal network that used fake apps to deceive individuals into investing in fraudulent stock and foreign currency trading schemes. The scammers promised substantial returns, but once victims transferred their money, they found themselves unable to withdraw their funds.
To further the scam, Wipha allegedly opened a mule account, receiving funds from the victims. These investments were promoted through social media, tricking people into thinking they would gain large profits. However, the truth was that they would be unable to access their money, with one victim’s complaint prompting an investigation into the case.
The arrest, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Chatuphon Tikaew, occurred near Wipha’s residence in Rawai after police had gathered enough evidence. Wipha was subsequently handed over to Patong Police for further legal action. Authorities are continuing to search for other members of the criminal gang.
The CIB has reiterated its commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and dismantling the fraudulent network. In Thailand, online crime has been escalating, with over 739,000 online crime cases reported between March 2022 and November 2024, resulting in damages surpassing 77 billion baht. Investment scams, particularly those involving fake apps, remain a significant threat.
A recent survey revealed that over 28% of Thai citizens had fallen victim to online fraud in the past year, highlighting the widespread impact of these scams.