Chinese Scammer Busted at Don Mueang Over App Fraud
A Chinese national was apprehended at Don Mueang International Airport while attempting to flee Thailand after allegedly orchestrating a large-scale online scam that defrauded victims of over 1.5 million baht.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Wang Hao, was arrested in the international departure hall on July 24 as he tried to board an AirAsia flight to Kunming, China. Immigration officers flagged Wang using the Advanced Passenger Processing System (APPS), which detects suspects in real time.
Police Major General Cheingron Rimpadee, commander of Immigration Bureau Division 2, confirmed the arrest and reported it to top-ranking officers, including Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, head of the Immigration Bureau, and his deputy, Major General Pantana Nuchanart. The operation was led by Police Colonel Weerayos Karunyathorn and Colonel Atisak Panya from the Don Mueang Airport Immigration Checkpoint.
Wang was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court on November 28, 2023. He faces charges including theft, unauthorized use of electronic cards, and money laundering. Authorities confiscated two mobile phones from him—a green Xiaomi 14 and a white iPhone X—believed to have been used in the commission of the crimes.
According to investigators, the scam revolved around the fraudulent use of Thailand’s “Tueng Ngern” financial aid app. Posing as a Krung Thai Bank official, Wang contacted victims through the LINE messaging platform, informing them that they qualified for a government subsidy of 5,000 baht per month for two months.
Victims were then directed to download a malicious application, purportedly to register for the aid. Instead, the app secretly granted remote access to their bank accounts. Authorities say approximately 1.55 million baht was stolen from several victims’ accounts.
“Wang Hao was attempting to leave the country when we intercepted him,” said an immigration officer involved in the operation. “This is a clear case of digital deception, and we are committed to preventing cybercriminals from escaping justice.”
Wang has since been transferred to the Technology Crime Suppression Division 2 for further investigation and legal proceedings. Police are working to determine whether Wang acted alone or as part of a larger network of scammers targeting vulnerable Thai citizens.
Thai authorities are urging the public to remain cautious and skeptical of unsolicited messages promising government benefits or financial rewards. Officials emphasize that legitimate government schemes do not require users to download external applications or provide banking access.
The case highlights growing concerns over cyber fraud in Thailand and the increasing use of sophisticated technology to carry out financial crimes. Immigration and police officials reaffirmed their commitment to tracking and apprehending cybercriminals, especially those attempting to flee the country to evade justice.
