Thai Highway Police Arrest Gold Laundering Gang Member Linked to Call Center Scam

Key summary

Highway Police in Thailand arrested a suspect involved in laundering money for an international call center gang by purchasing gold through online applications. The operation caused damages exceeding 8 million baht. Police intercepted the suspect, Mr. Pongsak (46), who was wanted on a warrant issued on May 12, 2026, for charges including fraud, introducing false data into computer systems, and money laundering. The investigation began after the National Counter-Terrorism Center received tips that victims were tricked into transferring funds to 'mua' accounts (money mule accounts), which were then laundered by buying gold online to convert cash into physical bars for international gangs. Between February 2026 and late October 2026, the suspect collected gold totaling 120 baht 3 sueng from four visits to a famous jewelry store branch on Yaowarat Road and one visit to the Silom branch. On two occasions, the suspect delivered gold to investors at a location inside a shopping center near the Yaowarat branch to avoid surveillance cameras. Police arrested the suspect while he was attempting to collect 30 baht of gold from the Silom branch. Following the arrest, police tracked Mr. Pongsak as he traveled through Nakhon Sawan province and intercepted him on Highway 3004 in Nong Pling subdistrict. The suspect denied all charges and was transferred to the Thung Maha Mek Police Station for further legal processing.