CHIANG RAI: Members of gang that used the logo of a commercial bank to prey on more than 200 people seeking loans online, allegedly collecting fees but lending them no money, have been arrested in Muang district of this northern province.
Technology crime suppression police arrested alleged gang leader Thaksaphon Thasomboon, 22, of Chiang Rai’s Chiang Saen district, and five gang members at a house in Muang district.
They were charged with collusion in public fraud and putting false information into a computer system, Pol Maj Gen Veerachon Boonthawee, deputy commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, said on Tuesday.
Also arrested were three men – Amnat Saenboriboon, 31, of Mae Rim in Chiang Mai; Mon Chaiyawong, 21; and Jakkrit Jai-ai, 23 from Chiang Saen - and two women, Athittaya Boonma, 22, of Chiang Rai’s Muang district and Thanyamon Phromma, 22, also from Chiang Saen.
Pol Maj Gen Veerachon said the arrests followed complaints from more than 200 people across the country that they had been defrauded by a gang using online promotions showing the logo of a leading commercial bank and offering loans of 20,000 baht to people in urgent need.
When interested people clicked on those sites, they were asked to add a Line app and fill out loan application documents. Applicants had to pay from 300 to 1,000 baht in fees. After transferring the money, the victims were then blocked and the loans were not provided as promised, Pol Maj Gen Veerachon said.
A police investigation led to court arrest warrants being issued for the six suspects, who were subsequently apprehended at a house in Muang district of Chiang Rai, he said.
According to Pol Maj Gen Veerachon, the gang used the logo of the bank on two Facebook pages, “Manee Thanjai V.2 loan” and "Chamchuree Chuay Lua V.88’’, to swindle people.