Phuket –
Authorities in Phuket have arrested a former online vendor who allegedly orchestrated a nationwide cash-on-delivery (COD) scam, deceiving thousands of unsuspecting consumers across Thailand. The arrest was announced during a press briefing held at 7:30 p.m. on the basketball court of Phuket Wittayalai School.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of Phuket Provincial Police, alongside Pol. Col. Chatree Chookaew, Chief of Muang Phuket Police Station, told the Phuket Express on Sunday (November 16th) that the suspect had transitioned from legitimate e-commerce to fraudulent operations, dispatching misleading parcels and collecting COD payments from victims nationwide.
The investigation uncovered over 20,000 items linked to the scam, with daily financial transactions in the suspect’s accounts reaching approximately 80,000 baht. Among the seized evidence were:
- 7,492 illegal cosmetic products
- 5,223 packaging materials
- 3,890 pre-packed parcels
- 1,099 parcels ready for shipment
- 3,125 returned parcels
Authorities also discovered a database containing more than 100,000 customer records stored on a laptop, which is now under forensic review to determine its origin and any connections to broader criminal networks.
The suspect faces two charges under Thailand’s Cosmetics Act:
- Selling unregistered cosmetics, violating Section 32(1), punishable by a fine of up to 20,000 baht.
- Selling cosmetics with non-Thai labeling, violating Section 22 paragraph 2(2) and Section 32(4), punishable by up to one month in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.
The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) participated in the inspection, focusing on the legality and registration status of the seized cosmetic products.
Police are now expanding the investigation to trace the origins of the customer data and identify additional victims, vowing to pursue legal action rigorously.
