NAKHON RATCHASIMA, THAILAND — A 43-year-old man wanted for cyber fraud was arrested in Wang Nam Khiao district while attempting to evade justice by entering monkhood. The suspect, identified only as Patcharat, was charged with fraud and providing false information to a computer system, in connection to an online scam linked to a call centre network based in Poipet, Cambodia.
The arrest occurred on June 23 after police traced a fraudulent Facebook marketing scheme back to Patcharat. The scam involved a bogus campaign promoting an egg-based protein product, advertised with the slogan “Free Giveaway – Cash Back.”
Participants were tricked into transferring money, believing they were accumulating points for rewards. One victim lost a total of 196,000 baht (approx. US$5,980) across six transactions. When the victim tried to withdraw the supposed rewards, they were told they had made a procedural mistake and needed to deposit another 300,000 baht (approx. US$9,155). Realizing it was a scam, the victim filed a police report in Chaiyaphum province.
From Poipet to the Temple
Police tracked the fraud back to Patcharat through a linked bank account used in the scheme. He was arrested while wearing white ceremonial robes and preparing for ordination at a local temple, in what police believe was an attempt to avoid legal consequences by entering monkhood.
During questioning, Patcharat confessed to working with a call centre gang in Poipet, where he helped open mule accounts by performing facial scans. He was paid 5,000 baht (US$150) per account and earned 10,000 baht (US$305) during a 10-day period before secretly returning to Thailand through unofficial border crossings.
Prior Charges and Legal Proceedings
Authorities also revealed that Patcharat had a pending arrest warrant issued by the Don Mueang Court in 2022 for another fraud case. He was handed over to Chaiyaphum police for further legal action.
The case adds to growing concerns about call centre scams operating from neighboring countries that exploit Thai nationals to carry out illegal activities. Thai law enforcement continues to work closely with neighboring nations to dismantle these networks.
