THB23 Million Cash Seizure Uncovers Suspected Cross-Border Scam and Drug Money Trail
THB23 Million Cash Seizure Uncovers Suspected Cross-Border Scam and Drug Money Trail
MAE SAI, October 10, 2026 — Thai authorities say a 23 million baht cash seizure at Mae Sai has led investigators to suspected financial networks linked to call-centre scams, online fraud and cross-border drug trafficking, with more than 3.5 billion baht in transactions now under scrutiny.
The cash was discovered hidden inside cardboard boxes in a vehicle and was allegedly being prepared for export to a neighbouring country when Mae Sai Customs seized it in June. Investigators say the case has since expanded into a broader probe involving suspected fraud proceeds and drug-trafficking nominee accounts.
On Friday, Immigration Bureau Commissioner Lieutenant General Noppasin Poolsawat assigned Major General Sarawut Khonyai, commander of the Immigration Bureau Investigation Division, to join the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Ministry of Justice in announcing the investigation’s progress.
Myanmar national identified in investigation
Working with Police Captain Khemchat Prakaikhongmanee, director of the DSI’s Technology and Information Crime Bureau, investigators identified the suspected owner of the money as a Myanmar national referred to as “Mr Sai.”
Authorities allege that Mr Sai had connections to call-centre gangs, online scam operations and transnational drug-trafficking networks.
Investigators reported transaction flows of approximately 2.5 billion baht linked to suspected fraud groups, alongside more than 1 billion baht in accounts allegedly used as nominees in drug-related activities.
More than 200 million baht reportedly passed directly through accounts held by Mr Sai, according to the authorities.
Officials said assets recovered through the investigation would be handled under the relevant legal procedures, with the aim of returning recovered funds to members of the public who suffered financial losses.
Authorities target cross-border cash movements and false identities
Lieutenant General Noppasin has instructed immigration investigators to intensify efforts against cross-border cash movements suspected of being used for money laundering and to identify the wider networks behind them.
The investigation is also examining alleged forgery of Thai identification cards and the use of identities belonging to people without Thai nationality.
Authorities suspect such identities may have been used by grey-capital networks, online gambling operators and call-centre gangs to open bank accounts and conduct financial transactions.
The agencies said the investigation would continue as they work to identify those involved and dismantle the suspected cash-smuggling and money-laundering networks.
The alleged links to fraud and drug trafficking remain under investigation, and the authorities have not provided further details about potential charges or the final disposition of the seized cash.
