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Malaysian man arrested in Bangkok for impersonating Thai official in THB3.3 million scam

The suspect allegedly sent forged documents and made video calls to discuss the victim’s assets before instructing the victim to prepare cash and valuables for “inspection.”

Updated 11 months ago · Published on 09 Nov 2025 5:17PM

Malaysian man arrested in Bangkok for impersonating Thai official in THB3.3 million scam
The man was detained at a hotel in Don Mueang on Friday, under a warrant issued by the Thonburi Criminal Court on 7 November for fraud and impersonation - November 9, 2025

The man was detained at a hotel in Don Mueang on Friday, under a warrant issued by the Thonburi Criminal Court on 7 November for fraud and impersonation - November 9, 2025

THAI police have arrested a 26-year-old Malaysian man accused of impersonating a government officer to defraud an elderly victim of more than 3.3 million baht (approximately RM426,000).

Metropolitan Police Division 2 chief Major General Kiattikul Sonthanan said the suspect, identified only as Tan from Sabah, was detained at a hotel on Soi Saranakhom 3 in Don Mueang on Friday, under a warrant issued by the Thonburi Criminal Court on 7 November for fraud and impersonation.

“Police also seized clothing worn by the suspect during the incident, a black backpack, two mobile phones, one empty AIS SIM card envelope, four unused Singapore SIM cards, one blank SIM card, and three foreign debit cards,” Kiattikul said in a statement issued late Saturday.

The arrest followed a complaint from a 70-year-old victim who received a call from someone posing as a police officer from Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station. The caller claimed the victim’s bank account was linked to mule account and money laundering activities.

The suspect allegedly sent forged documents and made video calls to discuss the victim’s assets before instructing the victim to prepare cash and valuables for “inspection.”

“Deceived by the ruse, the victim withdrew cash, sold personal belongings and handed over a total of 3.3 million baht to the suspect,” Kiattikul said.

The victim later lodged a police report after realising the money was not returned as promised.

Investigators from Don Mueang are now working with Thung Khru police to widen the investigation and identify other members of the fraud syndicate, Kiattikul added. - November 9, 2025

Thailand, Malaysia, Bangkok, Fraud, Crime, Impersonation, Police, Cross-Border Crime, Money Laundering, Scam

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