Bang Sue Police, in collaboration with Thung Song Hong Station, have arrested seven suspects, including six police officers, for allegedly extorting over 300 million baht from a foreign national. The group is accused of forging search warrants related to a fake passport case involving foreign nationals.
The incident occurred on October 16 at a residence in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, where the suspects, posing as law enforcement, presented a search warrant bearing a government seal to Mr. Sai (last name withheld), a Vanuatuan national, and his family.
The suspects claimed that Sai was connected to a passport forgery operation and confiscated all mobile phones and a computer from the home. They demanded 300 million baht or its equivalent in cryptocurrency (10 million USDT) to “clear” Sai’s charges. When he refused, they took him and his wife to a government office for further intimidation, lowering their demand to 10 million baht. Under duress, Sai eventually transferred nearly 5 million baht in digital currency to the account of the group’s interpreter, Ms. Apasara (last name withheld). After his release, additional demands were made, leading Sai to transfer more cryptocurrency. He later filed a complaint, triggering an internal investigation that identified the suspects.
Police arrested the six officers and one civilian accomplice. They face charges of abuse of authority and accepting illegal benefits, with all suspects awaiting prosecution. The full names of those arrested have not yet been released to the media.
