NAKHON RATCHASIMA, THAILAND – Thai police arrested a 27-year-old trans woman suspected of orchestrating a series of major online fraud schemes that cost victims more than ten million baht.
Alleged mastermind held on three warrants
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) detained Jerdjaratthip Mueangsong in Nakhon Ratchasima on the basis of three arrest warrants issued by the South Bangkok Criminal Court. She was accused of fraud, data input manipulation and providing bank accounts for criminal networks. Investigators described her scheme as sophisticated and ruthless.
Cosmetics page scam left victim millions out of pocket
In the first case, she allegedly lured a victim via a fake Facebook page advertising cosmetics. The victim transferred 1,875 baht and was then told there would be free shipping and a 50 percent discount. To receive these benefits, the victim had to contact a courier via LINE, where “tasks” led to repeated transfers until losses exceeded ten million baht.
Crypto investment fraud under false name
In a second case, she reportedly used the name “Bes Naruebet” to draw a victim into a cryptocurrency investment fraud. The damage in this scheme amounted to more than 430,000 baht. Police said the case illustrated how fake investment offers were being used to target online users.
Sextortion via hidden recording
The third and most callous method involved contacting a victim through Instagram and LINE while posing as an attractive woman and persuading the target to join a virtual sexually explicit video call. Investigators stated that she secretly recorded the explicit footage.
“She secretly recorded the explicit video,”
said investigators. She then allegedly extorted the victim, first demanding 35,000 baht and later 100,000 baht for deletion of the material, prompting the victim to go to the police.
Suspect denies leading role in scams
Officers tracked the suspect to Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) and arrested her. During questioning, she denied all allegations. She admitted only to providing bank accounts for a fraud network, rejecting any role in directly carrying out the scams, while police continued their investigation.
Police warn of growing digital underground
According to investigators, the case reflected the business model of modern cybercrime in Thailand, where decoy profiles, fake investments and extortion had become routine. Police urged the public to be cautious with unknown contacts online.
“Particularly with intimate video calls, the utmost caution is required,”
said one officer.
Ongoing hunt for wider network
Authorities said the arrest was only the first step, and investigators now aimed to identify and dismantle the entire network behind the schemes. They stressed that agencies were stepping up efforts against the so‑called cyber mafia. For the alleged perpetrator, the case now moved into the Thai justice system.
Advice for victims of online fraud
Police urged victims of such scams to file complaints immediately with the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau and to preserve evidence such as chat histories and transfer receipts. They emphasised that shame should not prevent people from reporting crimes, as only then could perpetrators be held accountable.