Bangkok: The government is cracking down on fraudulent corporate accounts and warning people not to fall for gangs buying and selling "corporate heads" (investigative accounts).
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is continuing its crackdown on technology-related crimes and the use of legal entities as tools for committing offenses. As a result of the measures implemented by the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, to prevent nominee and ambush accounts since January 1, 2026, the number of ambush accounts has significantly decreased, from 549 in 2025 to only 19 between January and May 2026. This reflects the success in disrupting criminal networks at their source.
The deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office stated that investigations have revealed groups of individuals illegally buying and selling "partnership and company names," or persuading others to use these names to register legal entities. These names are then used as dummy accounts, linked to online fraud, money laundering, and cybercrime, causing significant damage to the public and the economy.
The government has therefore integrated cooperation between the Department of Business Development and the Royal Thai Police to enhance inspection, screening, and prosecution of those involved, resulting in a significant reduction in the use of legal entities as money laundering accounts.
The government warns the public and businesses not to be misled by solicitations to sell their names or allow their names to be used to register partnerships or companies, or to accept positions as directors, shareholders, or partners without any actual business operation. Doing so could result in both criminal and civil liability, and unknowingly lead to being used as a tool by criminal organizations. The government affirms its commitment to vigorously preventing and suppressing economic and online crime, coupled with building public resilience to prevent people from becoming victims or being exploited, in order to collectively create a more transparent and secure economic system and business environment.