Eight Thais Accused of Managing Mule Accounts for Alleged Chinese Crime Boss
Eight Thais Accused of Managing Mule Accounts for Alleged Chinese Crime Boss
BANGKOK, October 22, 2026 — Thai cyber police have arrested eight Thai nationals accused of supervising holders of mule bank accounts used to withdraw suspected criminal proceeds and transfer the money through a network allegedly controlled by a Chinese organiser.
The arrests were made under an operation dubbed “Catch the Shadow Above Mule Accounts” following warrants issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court. Police said each mule account received between 100,000 and 1 million baht a day.
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) commissioner Pol Lt Gen Thinakorn Rangmat ordered the operation. Authorities are continuing to pursue seven additional suspects and investigate the alleged Chinese organiser.
Cash Withdrawals and Gold Purchases Used to Move Funds
According to investigators, the network operated across several provinces, with members assigned different roles, including organisers, account handlers, cash collectors, drivers and lookouts.
The handlers allegedly accompanied newly recruited mule-account holders to banks, shopping centres and hotels. They collected ATM cards and cash withdrawn over bank counters before transferring the funds according to the network’s instructions.
Police said money believed to have originated from victims or other criminal activities was either deposited through ATMs into designated accounts or used to purchase gold. The gold was then sold for cash, which was deposited again in an effort to obscure the money trail before the funds reached accounts linked to the alleged Chinese boss.
The investigation was led by Cyber Crime Investigation Division 2 under the direction of Pol Maj Gen Sarayut Junnawat and other senior officers.
Suspects Allegedly Reported to Chinese Organiser Through Telegram
The eight Thai nationals arrested were identified as Ubonrat, 47; Suriya, 42; Supattra, 47; Rattanaporn, 41; Orawee, 34; Witthaya, 47; Siriwat, 47; and Thapakon, 46.
Officers seized eight mobile phones, 22 ATM cards and several bank passbooks during the operation.
During initial questioning, most of the suspects reportedly admitted that they had previously been hired to open mule accounts and withdraw money. After their own accounts were frozen, they were allegedly recruited to monitor new account holders, collect cash and deposit it into accounts specified by their controllers.
Investigators said the suspects reported to the alleged Chinese organiser through Telegram in exchange for payments of around 1,000 to 1,400 baht a day, or payments for individual jobs, in addition to travel, accommodation and other expenses.
Some suspects also claimed they had been required to provide photographs of their homes, accommodation locations and social-media information about themselves and their relatives before beginning work. They alleged that they were threatened with harm to people close to them if they failed to follow instructions.
Police Pursue Seven More Suspects
The eight arrested suspects face charges related to arranging, advertising or facilitating the sale, purchase, rental or lending of bank accounts, electronic cards or e-wallet accounts for use in technology-related or other criminal offences.
They are also accused of possessing another person’s electronic card for improper use in circumstances likely to cause harm to others or the public.
Police are tracing seven additional people allegedly connected to the operation, examining financial transactions and seeking to identify those behind the network.
The allegations remain subject to further investigation and legal proceedings.
