Six Thais who were arrested in China for operating a call centre fraud ring have been escorted back to Thailand by police.
Pol Maj Gen Surapol Homchuenchom, the commander of the Economic Crime Division (ECD), accompanied the six suspects a flight that landed early Friday at Don Mueang airport, according to a report in Daily News.
The suspects, who were apprehended in Guangzhou, are: Surachai Sangganya, 24; Puvanai Sangganya, 21; Sithichai Suayboon, 21; Thanachote Arbkornburi, 39; Likit Pordammak, 36; and Supatcharee Taowan, 22.
The Chinese embassy in Bangkok told Thai authorities that the gang had set up an internet call centre in Zhuhai to defraud victims in Thailand, said Pol Maj Gen Surapol.
He said the fraud artists contacted people and asked them to submit their financial information as part of an investigation being conducted by the Bank of Thailand or the Anti-Money Laundering Office.
The gang swindled more than 20 million baht out of its victims, making calls to around 3,600 numbers in Thailand and sending a total of 6 million messages.
Each gang member received a 12,000-baht salary plus 3% of the amount wired to the bank accounts.
The ECD head said that a Taiwanese businessman, who is now being charged in China, masterminded the whole operation. He believes there are still seven or eight suspects at large in Thailand.
Authorities are asking people to come forward if they have transferred money to the following Bangkok Bank accounts: 877-0-16916-0, 053-0-25847-4 and 053-0-25844-1.