PATTAYA– Officers from the Pattaya Tourist Police, working with investigators from Region 2, raided a hotel in central Pattaya on the evening of April 28th, 2026, arresting a Thai woman and three Nigerian men believed to be part of a nationwide network using “money mule” bank accounts for romance scams and money laundering.
The operation took place at approximately 8:06 PM on April 28th at a hotel in the Nong Prue sub-district. Led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Prabaada Suksuntree of the Tourist Police Division and supported by other officers, the team arrested Ms. Patcharin (surname withheld), 41, a Thai national from Chonburi province, along with three Nigerian nationals.
Seized evidence included 12 mobile phones and 12 bank account books.
During questioning, Ms. Patcharin reportedly confessed to her role in the operation. She admitted to recruiting and supplying bank accounts for her Nigerian husband and his associates, identified as:
– Mr. Miracle Oluebube Duruawuzie
– Mr. John Bosco Chukwukadibia
– Mr. Chibueze Solomon Ozoma
She received 2,000 baht per bank account provided. Additionally, she handled daily cash withdrawals and transfers for the group, earning a 10% commission on the amounts moved. She claimed daily commissions could reach as high as 30,000 baht on peak days.
Ms. Patcharin further revealed details of a larger criminal network. She stated that Nigerian operators involved in romance scams are active across Thailand and abroad. After scamming victims, the fraudsters direct money into mule accounts recruited locally. Local handlers then withdraw the funds and transfer them back to organizers in Nigeria for laundering.
All suspects and evidence were taken to Banglamung Police Station for further processing. They face charges including:
– Acting as intermediaries in the advertising, buying, selling, renting, or lending of bank accounts, electronic cards, or electronic money accounts for use in technology-related crimes or other criminal offenses.
– Facilitating the buying or selling of mobile phone numbers registered under other people’s names.
– Violations under Sections 10 and 11 of the 2023 Royal Decree on Measures to Prevent and Suppress Technology Crimes.
– Membership in a criminal association under Section 209 of the Thai Penal Code.
Police Lieutenant Anusart Jarusombat, Deputy Inspector of the relevant unit, stated that the arrests were part of a directive from superiors to crack down on all forms of crime, with particular focus on money mule accounts and romance scams that have caused significant hardship to the Thai public.
Authorities indicated they will continue to expand the investigation to identify and apprehend other members of the nationwide network.
