CHIANG MAI — Thai Cyber Police have arrested a 26-year-old manager of a Chinese hybrid scam network using artificial intelligence to create fake digital personas, tricking victims into investing nearly 46 million baht ($1.3 million). The arrest occurred on December 3, with Police Lieutenant General Jirapob Puridet leading the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB).
Yuttachai (surname withheld) was apprehended in Chiang Mai while managing social media advertisements targeting potential victims in Turkey and Africa. He was one of 20 suspects arrested in a coordinated crackdown on December 2, dubbed “Annihilate Hybrid Scam.” The suspects face charges of public fraud, identity theft, false information input, transnational organized crime participation, and money laundering.
According to Police Major General Athip Pongsiwapai, the scam network operated like a well-organized corporation, adapting tactics to maximize profits. The fraud combined romance scams and fraudulent investment schemes, referred to as “hybrid scams.” The network primarily used fake social media profiles of attractive, wealthy men, using AI to create convincing video calls to build trust with victims. They then persuaded victims to invest in a fake application called “Streaming.”
One victim lost 45.8 million baht after transferring money 45 times. Yuttachai even attempted to extract an additional 200,000 baht from the victim by claiming he was being forced to work for the scam network.
The police operation spanned 21 locations across 11 provinces, seizing over 208 pieces of evidence. Yuttachai admitted to working as an interpreter and manager for the Chinese-funded operation, which employed 10 teams of Thai and Laotian workers. The gang carefully targeted victims based on their financial standing and personal background, using sophisticated social engineering techniques before introducing fraudulent investment platforms.
The scam utilized five fake applications: Streaming, TellMall, ETF Trade, Fhxcm, and Fxcm. The police investigation revealed 29 reported cases, with estimated losses totaling 63 million baht. The network targeted victims from Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
Yuttachai earned a salary of 8,000 yuan ($1,100) per month plus commission from successful scams.
