Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) police have rescued a Chinese woman who was being held captive by a Chinese-run call center scam gang in Thailand. The gang had allegedly scammed her out of approximately 8 million baht and was demanding an additional 12.5 million baht in ransom from her parents in China.
The case was revealed today by Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, commissioner of the CIB. On September 16, the Crime Suppression Division of the CIB was alerted by the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok after the woman’s mother, Li Jianshe, reached out for help when she received the ransom demand.
On August 21, Li received a message on WeChat from her daughter, Song Xi-hua, stating that she was being held captive in Thailand. The captors demanded 2.5 million yuan (about 12.5 million baht) for her release. The gang also sent a video of Song holding her passport and saying in Chinese that she was working in Thailand voluntarily.
An investigation was quickly launched by the CIB. By reviewing CCTV footage at Suvarnabhumi Airport, they found that Song had arrived in Thailand from Germany on August 15 and had left the airport in a taxi. Further inquiries revealed that the 42-year-old woman was staying at a hostel in Soi Kingkaew, Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan.
When police located Song at the hostel, she initially claimed that she was fine and denied knowing anything about a ransom. However, after meeting her parents, who had flown in from China to seek help from the embassy, Song eventually revealed the truth.
She explained that while working in Germany, she had received a call on April 11 from a man posing as a Chinese police officer, accusing her of human trafficking. To avoid prosecution, she was told to transfer 207,000 euros (about 8 million baht) to the gang’s account. Later, the gang instructed her to travel to Thailand to meet a man who could supposedly help clear her charges.
After arriving at the hostel on August 15, the gang forced Song to set up Skype and video call functions, keeping her under constant surveillance. Police are continuing their investigation into the gang’s activities.
