Frozen Bank Accounts Trap Innocent Online Vendors
Bank accounts of innocent online vendors are being frozen as criminals exploit new laundering methods, according to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB).
From Mule Accounts to Fake Purchases
In the past, scammers primarily relied on “mule” accounts to move stolen money. Now, however, fraudsters are increasingly targeting legitimate vendors. They purchase goods from unsuspecting sellers, later resell them for cash, and in doing so, turn honest business accounts into unknowing conduits for money laundering.
Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, CCIB commissioner, explained that this shift in tactics has left ordinary people unfairly caught in money-laundering investigations. “Culprits are using more sophisticated methods, which trap innocent people in criminal cases,” he said.
CCIB and Banks Respond
To address the issue, the CCIB has deployed more officers to handle complaints and accelerate the unfreezing of wrongly flagged accounts. Victims are urged to contact their local police station or call hotlines 1441 and 095-425-7478 for assistance.
Commercial banks, meanwhile, automatically freeze accounts receiving unusually large sums from suspicious sources. This measure, while intended to safeguard victims of fraud, has had unintended consequences for legitimate vendors, especially those dealing in high-value goods such as electrical appliances.
Central Bank Intervention
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) confirmed that frozen accounts are linked to money transfers from mule accounts. Daranee Saeju, BoT assistant governor for consumer protection, acknowledged that innocent people were affected as the Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC) and commercial banks intensify efforts to trace and return stolen money.
While stressing the importance of freezing suspicious accounts, Daranee admitted that the measures could impact many innocent vendors. The BoT is now coordinating with banks and the AOC to refine freezing and unfreezing procedures. Authorities hope to reduce disruptions for legitimate customers while continuing to target scammers effectively.
Technical Glitches Add to the Chaos
Compounding the problem, a technical error on September 1 left some accounts displaying outdated balances. Although the issue was resolved quickly, it sowed confusion among customers. In other cases, banks froze amounts greater than the balance held, resulting in negative figures on customer accounts. Banks were instructed to clarify these discrepancies directly with their clients.
Collusion and Exploitation
Not all cases are accidental. Authorities noted that some vendors knowingly colluded with scammers, staging fake sales to collect commissions. Others were duped—such as when fraudsters transferred large sums to children’s accounts and tricked them into forwarding the money, only for the accounts to be frozen.
The Human Cost
The fallout has been severe. Senator Pinyapat Sansaneeyacheewin reported that many online sellers have seen their businesses jeopardized. Frozen accounts disrupt cash flow, leaving small entrepreneurs unable to sustain operations. Some sellers have stopped accepting transfers, while others rush to withdraw funds in fear of sudden freezes.
Moving Forward
Authorities insist that freezing accounts remains essential in the fight against online scams, but they also recognize the need to protect innocent account holders. The CCIB and BoT are working on faster release procedures and improved communication with customers.
For those affected, hotlines remain available: the CCIB at 1441 and 095-425-7478, and the BoT at 1213. Officials stress that innocent vendors will have their funds restored as soon as investigations clear their names.
The challenge now is balancing the urgent pursuit of scammers with safeguarding the livelihoods of ordinary people who have become collateral damage in the war on financial crime.
