Thailand Shuts More Than 351,000 Mule Accounts in Crackdown on Online Scams
Dragon Media News Desk
Thai authorities have closed more than 351,000 suspected mule bank accounts and frozen assets linked to criminal activity worth over 3.6 billion baht, equivalent to about $107.74 million, as part of an intensified crackdown on online scams and other economic crimes.
From October 2025 through June 2026, more than 29,000 people suspected of involvement in scam operations were arrested, while arrest warrants were issued for over 70 alleged ringleaders, the Thai government said on Monday.
During the same period, authorities provided assistance to 862 victims and prevented potential losses exceeding 82 million baht, or approximately $2.45 million.
Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the closure of bank accounts and freezing of assets formed part of a broader strategy that went beyond arresting individual offenders.
She said the government was seeking to dismantle the financial foundations, capital flows and transaction networks supporting organised criminal groups.
Thailand’s central bank will further tighten controls on high-risk financial transactions beginning in October.
Under the new measures, cash deposits exceeding 5 million baht will have to be accompanied by a declaration explaining the source of the funds.
Large currency exchanges will also require justification. For example, anyone seeking to exchange 10 million baht in 1,000-baht notes for smaller denominations will be required to explain the purpose of the transaction.
Thanadirek said an earlier regulation requiring reports on cash withdrawals of 5 million baht or more had already reduced large cash withdrawals by about 35 percent.
She added that enhanced financial monitoring had also led to the identification and closure of thousands of additional suspicious accounts.
Thailand has intensified legal and financial action against online fraud, illicit money transfers and the use of bank accounts opened in other people’s names by criminal networks.
