Malaysian man arrested in Bangkok for impersonating govt officer in phone scam

KOTA BARU: A Malaysian man was detained by Thai police in Bangkok on Thursday for impersonating a government officer to collect cash from an elderly victim in a phone scam that defrauded him of 3.3 million baht (RM426,000).

A Thai police spokesman said the 26-year-old Malaysian man was arrested at a hotel on Soi Soranakorn 3 in Don Mueang district.

The spokesman said officers from the Don Mueang and Thung Khru police stations apprehended the suspect, identified as Tan, after an arrest warrant was issued by the court for fraud and impersonation.

“Thai police also seized several items from the suspect, including clothing believed to have been worn during the crime, a black backpack, two mobile phones, several SIM cards, and three foreign debit cards,” the spokesman said.

The arrest followed a complaint filed by the 70-year-old victim, who said he had received a call from someone claiming to be a police officer.

“The caller alleged that the victim’s bank account was linked to mule accounts and money laundering.

“The scammer instructed the victim to add a LINE account under the name ‘Por Pom,’ who claimed to be an officer from Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station.

“The fraudster sent messages, fake documents, and initiated a video call to discuss the man’s assets, instructing him to prepare them for ‘inspection.’

“Believing that the call was genuine, the victim withdrew cash, sold personal belongings, and gathered 3.3 million baht (RM426,000),” the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the victim was directed to deliver the money to a gas station on Pracha Uthit Road in Thung Khru district, near the local police station.

“The Malaysian suspect later arrived to collect the cash.

“He claimed to be a government officer conducting an inspection and assured the victim that the money would be returned after verification, before quickly disappearing,” the spokesman said.

The Thai police spokesman said that upon realising he had been cheated, the victim lodged a report.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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