Thai police arrest Malaysian duo over ‘Macau Scam’

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TWO Malaysian men suspected of being members of an international “Macau Scam” syndicate were apprehended by Thai police in Bangkok today when they were withdrawing a victim's money from an ATM.

The duo were identified as Saw Chooi Hock, 41, and Saeo Wei Jack, 35. They were arrested in Prawet district in Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng.

“The two Malaysian men said the syndicate consisted of 10 members, who are Malaysians, Thais and Taiwanese. The syndicate’s base is in Taiwan,” said Crime Suppression Division (CSD) acting chief Colonel Maitri Chimcherd.

He said the duo were tracked down following a report lodged by a victim in Rayong recently.

A member of the syndicate, pretending to be a high-ranking police officer, had contacted the victim, claiming that the victim's bank account was linked to a drug trafficker.

The syndicate member then asked the victim to transfer 2.7 million baht (RM360,000) from the account.

Chimcherd said CSD then monitored financial transactions, which led to the two Malaysians, whose role in the syndicate was only to withdraw money when instructed.

“They said they were paid 30,000 baht a month for their role.”

He said police seized seven ATM cards, four ATM slips, 61,000 baht and four mobile phones.

The duo are in police custody to facilitate investigations. – Bernama, November 18, 2017.