Police have arrested the 37 year-old leader of an extortion ring accused of intentionally crashing into cars on highways in several provinces, particularly in the Northeast, and then intimidating the victims into giving them money.
Akkaradej Dej-uthai was arrested of leading an extortion ring acused of intentionally crashing into cars and intimidating the victims into giving them money. (Bangkok Post photo)
Pol Lt Gen Dejnarong Sutthichanbuncha, acting commissioner of Provincial Police Region 4, said Akkaradej Dej-uthai, a native of Roi Et province, was yesterday taken to Office of Provincial Police Region 4 in Khon Kaen province so police could announce his arrest. He said at least 40 others were involved in the scam.
His arrest followed scores of crime reports about more than 100 incidents from victims who claimed they were robbed and extorted in car accidents in the provinces, police said.
Motorists who had fallen victim to the crimes posted warnings of accident scenes on social media, particularly in Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Nong Khai and Roi Et.
The gang was so well-known in the Chang Han district that social media users had warned that most of the male population of one village made their careers staging motor vehicle accidents.
Investigators said Mr Akkaradej and his gang members set their traps by slamming into unsuspecting drivers.
Once the cars were disabled, a gang of at least two people would talk them into handing over a cash in lieu of an insurance claim.
Their main targets were women driving alone, old people, and people driving old cars unlikely to be insured.
Mr Akkaradej allegedly admitted to police that he and his neighbours in Chang Han district had committed the crime on busy northeastern roads driving rented pickup trucks or cars.
Later, they would take their damaged vehicles into a shop for repairs, he said.
During interrogation, Mr Akkaradej implicated 43 conspirators and told police that about 23 vehicles had been used in the scam.
Mr Akkaradej said before reporters he was the mastermind of at least 50 accident frauds within the last three years.
He said extortion was his "profession", a trade from which he earned more than 100,000 baht per month.
He said his gang committed three to five crimes a day, extorting about 5,000 baht to 20,000 baht each time.
Mr Akkaradej was charged with robbery and has been detained at Roi Et provincial police station for further investigation.