PHUKET –
Phuket police have dismantled a mule account network linked to online fraud, arresting four suspects and seizing multiple bank books, ATM cards, and mobile phones. The operation comes amid a regional crackdown on cybercrime that has caused millions in damages.
The Wichit Police told the Phuket Express that the arrests were carried out by Wichit Police. Their campaign targets mule accounts, bank accounts opened or sold to criminal groups for laundering illicit funds. Police had earlier met with local banks to strengthen monitoring systems and coordinate preventive measures.
On January 18th, 2026, Wichit Police received a tip-off from the Government Savings Bank, Central Phuket Festival branch, that a suspect was attempting to withdraw funds. Investigators moved quickly, tracking the suspect and arresting four individuals in the Kathu and Chalong subdistricts.
Authorities confiscated 12 bank books, five ATM cards, and six mobile phones during the operation. The suspects admitted to opening bank accounts for the fraud network in exchange for 10,000 baht per account.
A woman identified as “Je Ying” allegedly arranged round-trip flights between Phuket and Chiang Rai to facilitate cash withdrawals, paying another 10,000 baht for the task. Police said the withdrawn funds were then handed over to Lao nationals at the Thai–Lao border, with coordination carried out via Facebook and Instagram.
Investigators confirmed that at least five reported cases were tied to the seized accounts, all involving online scams between November and December 2025. The total financial damage amounted to 9,309,190 baht.
