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Thai Police Busts Chinese Network in Credit Card Skimming Scheme Causing Over 29 Million Baht in Damages

ByJustpaste.in

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has dismantled a transnational Chinese network involved in credit card data theft, arresting four suspects and seizing equipment linked to losses exceeding 29 million baht affecting more than 1,200 Chinese victims. The network operated by opening fruit stalls in areas including Chonburi and telling Chinese visitors that they had special discounts only for Chinese people if they used their card with Unionpay, using skimming devices to then steal their data.

Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) of the CIB arrested Mr. Chao, 42, a Chinese national; Ms. Salinee, 33; Ms. Jittra, 32; and Mr. Theerapat, 32. They face charges of jointly possessing tools or devices used to obtain electronic card data for the purpose of forging or altering information. The arrests took place across Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Chonburi provinces.

The operation stemmed from a request by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, which sought assistance from the Royal Thai Police to investigate a cross-border network specializing in the illegal copying of credit card data.

Investigators from Division 5 of the ECD, working with the Chiang Mai Provincial Police Operations Center and Chiang Mai Immigration, executed search warrants at six locations, including shops and residences. Authorities found that the group operated dried fruit shops in tourist areas as a front. They offered special discounts to encourage customers to pay with UnionPay cards. Employees then secretly swiped the cards through computer keyboards fitted with magnetic stripe readers to copy the data while using CCTV cameras to covertly record customers’ PIN codes. The stolen information was sent via the Line messaging application to accomplices in the United States, who used it to make purchases and withdraw cash.

During the searches, police seized 11 computer keyboards equipped with magnetic stripe readers, five computers, three electronic data capture (EDC) machines, six mobile phones, 18 IP CCTV cameras, and three CCTV servers. The suspects and evidence were handed over to investigators from Division 5 of the ECD for further legal proceedings.

All four suspects initially confessed. Mr. Chao admitted that he and his associates had opened the shops and imported the card-skimming devices from China with the goal of sharing the proceeds.

The operation was directed by Police Lieutenant General Natthasak Chaowanasa, Commissioner of the CIB; Police Major General Thatphum Jaruprach, Commander of the ECD; and Police Colonel Krit Worathat, Superintendent of Division 5 of the ECD. They ordered Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthadanai Bamrungsilp, an inspector with Division 5 of the ECD, and his team to carry out the enforcement action.

Photo credit CIB

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