BANGKOK — Thai authorities have arrested a Chinese man and a Thai accountant accused of helping a cross-border syndicate launder millions of baht through “mule companies” tied to online investment scams.
Following a three-month investigation, officers from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) apprehended 23-year-old Chinese national Zehu at Suvarnabhumi Airport and 43-year-old Saipirun, a Thai accountant, in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district.
Both suspects were wanted under warrants issued August 15 on charges including public fraud by impersonation, membership in a criminal organization, computer crimes, and money laundering.
Police said the arrests are linked to the Huione Pay network, a transnational fraud ring that lured victims into fake online investment platforms, causing more than 20 million baht (US$614,000) in losses.
Earlier, CCIB investigators arrested three Myanmar nationals tied to the same group in Tak province, seizing 46 million baht in cash.
Investigators later traced the money to two fake companies allegedly registered by Saipirun, who admitted she was paid by Zehu to use Chinese nationals’ identities to open corporate bank accounts. She reportedly earned 5,000 baht (US$153) per company.
Though both suspects denied the allegations, police said digital evidence — including chat messages — confirmed that Zehu sent personal data for use in setting up over 10 fraudulent firms later controlled by other syndicate members in Bangkok.
Both have been handed over to CCIB investigators for further legal proceedings.
