Chiang Rai Police Arrest 9 Chinese Nationals in Major Crypto Scam Targeting US and Canada
Police Action Uncovers Fraudulent Cryptocurrency Operation
Chiang Rai police have arrested nine Chinese nationals involved in a large-scale hybrid scam, targeting victims in the United States and Canada. The suspects used fake online profiles to build trust with potential victims, tricking them into investing in cryptocurrency through foreign digital wallets.
The operation took place on February 28, under the supervision of Police Lieutenant General Kritthaphon Yeesakorn, with support from other senior officers from Region 5 and Chiang Rai. The arrested individuals, aged between 20 and 32, include Cao TaiQing, Tu Xing, Yi Xiu, Duan Guang Shun, Li Jiawei, Yang Lianwei, Cheng Yue, Jrang Kai Hang, and Huang RangXin. A 21-year-old Thai woman, Orathai, was also taken into custody.
Seized Items and Initial Investigation
During the raid, authorities confiscated 14 computers, 81 mobile phones, and several internet devices. The suspects are facing charges under the Computer Crime Act, Immigration Act of 1979, and the Foreign Worker Management Act.
The arrests followed intelligence reports about the group operating out of Ban Du subdistrict, Mueang district in Chiang Rai. Police discovered the suspects had rented a house in the area, which led to a successful raid and the seizure of evidence.
Scam Operation Details
The suspects were running a hybrid scam operation, creating fake social media profiles with appealing images to establish trust with unsuspecting individuals. They engaged victims in conversations, eventually persuading them to transfer funds for cryptocurrency investments. The majority of the victims were from the US and Canada, with communication often facilitated by chat applications
Some of the suspects were found to be in Thailand illegally, with no legal entry records, and others had overstayed their student visas.
Related Arrest in Phuket
In a separate incident, an ex-inmate was arrested in Phuket for impersonating a well-known politician in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. The scam cost the victim 22 million baht. The suspect was apprehended at a residence in Koh Kaew, Mueang district, and faces charges of public fraud and inputting false data into a computer system.
These arrests highlight the growing concerns about online scams, particularly involving cryptocurrency, and the efforts of authorities to combat such crimes.
