Bangkok: The government is intensifying efforts to dismantle mule accounts, with over 130,000 accounts shut down in the first quarter of 2025. In addition, more than 800 individuals associated with these accounts have been arrested. The government’s stance is firm in continuing to apprehend offenders.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sasikarn Wattanachan, deputy government spokeswoman, disclosed that the AOC 1441 Operations Center under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is spearheading a rigorous campaign to disrupt the financial networks of fraudsters. Between November 2023 and March 31, 2025, a total of 582,548 mule accounts have been suspended.
In the span from January 1 to March 31, 2025, alone, authorities suspended 135,279 mule accounts, excluding those handled by the Anti-Money Laundering Office and commercial banks. Additionally, 869 arrests related to mule accounts and SIM cards were recorded in the first three months of the year, with 219 in January and 325 each in February and March.
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rom October 2023 to March 2025, law enforcement arrested 5,399 suspects under the Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Act B.E. 2023. Ms. Sasikarn warned that individuals allowing their bank accounts to be used as mule accounts face legal action, with penalties of up to 3 years in prison, a 300,000 baht fine, or both. They also risk being charged as accomplices and may face civil suits from victims.
The government urges citizens to combat technological crimes collectively. Ms. Sasikarn encourages anyone encountering fraudulent activity online to report it immediately to the AOC 1441 center to halt or freeze accounts. Reports of fake news or online crimes can also be made via the hotline 1111, Line ID: @antifakenewscenter, or the website www.antifakenewscenter.com.