A motorcycle taxi driver has been arrested on charges of using fake profile photos to lure women to pose nude for online videos, then blackmailing and raping them, in Nonthaburi.
Mongkhol Sribuathep, 22, was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court on Feb 25 on charges of forcible rape and extortion.
He was apprehended in front of the Nonthaburi Land Office in Pak Kret district on Friday, by Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division commander Pol Maj Gen Siam Boonsom.
It is alleged Mr Mongkhol used a fake profile photo of a good-looking man on his Line app to attract young women in the 18-25 age group, notably university students and office workers.
The suspect mainly targeted women who used the Omi dating app.
After he became close to the women, he would persuade them to pose nude for him during their online chats, and secretly recorded it.
He then borrowed money from his victims. When asked to repay the loan, he allegedly refused and threatened to make the nude videos public on social media.
Mr Mongkhol then allegedly duped his victims again, by creating a second fake social media account using a profile photo of another good-looking man. He approached the women, saying he knew the man who had borrowed money from them.
He persuaded them he could help them get their money back, and get the man to delete the nude videos, Pol Maj Gen Siam said.
After gaining his victim's trust, again, he would make an appointment to meet them. When they met up, he allegedly raped them by force and recorded it.
The police commander said the suspect used the rape clips to blackmail his victims, demanding 10,000 to 100,000 baht.
Some women had been repeatedly raped for up to a week, causing them emotional damage. Some had tried to end their life, Pol Maj Gen Siam said.
Mr Mongkhol denied all charges. He was given a urine test for illicit drugs. The result was negaive.
According to police, the suspect worked as a motorcycle taxi driver in Muang Thong Thani. He allegedly lived an extravagant lifestyle, using the money he extorted from his victims.
About 20 women were known to have fallen victim to his scheming, Pol Maj Gen Siam said.
Any other victims were urged to file complaints with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division at the government complex on Chaeng Watthana Road, Laksi.