Five people have been charged in connection with swindling 6 million baht out of a British man in exchange for freeing him from detention, according to police.

Pol Col Ramet Kaewsungnoen, a superintendent of Mae Hong Son police, was among the accused. He was also using his alleged connection with Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakpan, the assistant national police chief. The name of Briton was not given by police.

Surachate told reporters on Tuesday that a woman named Thirawan Khiewngam said a bail request for the Briton, who was her friend, had been rejected. Interpol had issued a red notice for him, and he was held by the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok.

Ms Thirawan then sought help from Thananwat Thanthanpan after the bail request was turned down. Mr Thananwat told her that he knew a man named Witthaya Somsrisomsakul who could get in touch with Ramet, a former classmate of Surachate in the Royal Police Cadet Academy.

On June 29, Mr Thananwat and Mr Witthaya visited the man at the detention centre in Bangkok. They asked to see the detainee in person but the officer on duty refused, saying it was against the rules.

Mr Witthaya phoned Ramet. Ramet tried to convince the officer that the detainee should be allowed visitors.

Again, the officer said no.

Mr Witthaya then told Mr Thananwat to tell Ms Thirawan to transfer 6 million baht to some bank accounts to get the man freed. However, after the money was transferred, Mr Witthaya made little attempt to get bail and could not be reached on his phone.

Ms Thirawan then decided to file a complaint against the group with police.

Police have gathered evidence and summonsed Ramet, Mr Witthaya, 67, and three others. Initially, they have been charged with colluding to commit fraud.