Suspected Chinese-Funded Scam Network Administrator Arrested in Thailand
Suspected Chinese-Funded Scam Network Administrator Arrested in Thailand
NAKHON RATCHASIMA, October 9, 2026 — Thai highway police have arrested a 33-year-old man suspected of administering an online scam network linked to the Spell shopping platform and a fraud complaint filed by Thai actress Esther Supreeleela in 2022.
The suspect, identified as Yutthana, was arrested on October 7 at the Nakhon Chai Tour rest area in Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, while travelling towards Chiang Rai.
Major General Boonlue Phadungthin, commander of the Highway Police Division, ordered the operation after Bang Kaeo police requested assistance in locating the suspect.
Yutthana was wanted under Samut Prakan Provincial Court warrant No. 547/2565. The charges include jointly defrauding the public through impersonation, entering false information into a computer system and involvement in a transnational criminal organisation.
Suspected role in a Chinese-funded scam operation
According to police, Yutthana told investigators that he had studied computing before travelling voluntarily in 2021 to work for a scam operation near the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo province.
He allegedly worked as an administrator for a network directed by Chinese financiers who planned the operation.
Police said administrators created fake LINE and Facebook accounts to approach people in Thailand, build trust and persuade them to deposit money or invest through the Spell platform.
Yutthana allegedly told investigators that he worked for the network for approximately six months and that victims lost more than 12 million baht through his activities.
The wider operation reportedly employed around 30 to 40 administrators and was capable of collecting more than 200 million baht from victims each month, according to police.
Spell platform attracted complaints from users
Launched in 2021, Spell was promoted as an online shopping application featuring a price-cutting system that allowed members to participate in transactions to obtain goods at lower prices.
The platform also reportedly offered bonuses for participation. Users were required to deposit money before making transactions or receiving returns, while a referral system encouraged them to recruit additional members.
Complaints later emerged about the platform, and its service and contact channels eventually became inaccessible.
Investigation linked to actress Esther Supreeleela
Police said Spell was the same platform named in a complaint filed by Thai actress Esther Supreeleela with the Technology Crime Suppression Centre in January 2022.
Investigators subsequently expanded their inquiry into the people allegedly operating the platform, leading to arrest warrants for suspected participants and organisers. Police said the investigation also uncovered alleged connections to a transnational criminal organisation.
Following his arrest, Yutthana was handed over to investigators at Bang Kaeo Police Station for further legal proceedings.
Authorities said they would continue pursuing other suspected members of the network and investigating individuals allegedly connected to the operation. The allegations against Yutthana remain subject to the legal process.
