A Chinese ringleader was arrested with Thai and Burmese nationals for allegedly operating cross-border mule accounts.

The group allegedly duped victims into investing in a fake application before laundering the fraudulent funds through mule accounts in Thailand.

Police raided properties in Mae Sot City in Tak province, and arrested Burmese nationals Oo Shin, 57, and Louk Wai, 54, along with a woman, Thida, 57.

Thai accountant Saipirun, who had opened two corporate bank accounts for the scam network, was detained in the Huai Khwang district of Bangkok.

Their Chinese boss, Zehu Zhang, was caught while arriving at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

The suspects face charges of fraud, being members of an organised crime group, importing false information into a computer system, and money laundering.

In a press briefing on Monday, the Technology Crime Suppression Division said the arrests stemmed from 'Operation Skyfall' launched last year to dismantle the transnational cyber crime network.

Police said Saipirun had opened corporate bank accounts for Durian Premium Co Ltd and Tropical Gold Co Ltd for 5,000 baht (117 GBP) each. She then handed over the bank details and SIM cards used to receive transaction OTPs to her boss Zehu Zhang.

Authorities said they seized 46 million baht from the operation, adding victims have 90 days to file for compensation.

Thaiphicha Chaithat, a division director at the Anti-Money Laundering Office, said: 'The asset restitution process will allow victims to submit a petition for the protection of rights to receive compensation within 90 days, or by March 17, 2026.

‘Victims suspected of being defrauded by this specific criminal group can verify information through the Royal Thai Government Gazette.

‘It contains details of the bank accounts used for transfers by the offenders that have been seized or frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Office.

‘Victims can submit their petitions through three channels: in person at the office, via Thailand Post, or through the official website.'

Thailand has become a notorious base for Chinese crime gangs operating cross-border fraud and human trafficking operations in neighbouring Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Thai and Chinese authorities were coordinating to crack down on the transnational crime rings.