2,897 people have been arrested for acting as money mules (someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else) over the past 12 months, with September 2024 alone seeing 497 arrests.
Authorities are warning that convicted money mules face severe penalties, including up to three years in prison, fines of up to 300,000 baht, or both.
Prasert Jantararuangtong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, said that, working with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the Thai Bankers’ Association and related agencies, they have successfully interdicted money mule activities. This effort has effectively cut off the financial channels of organised criminal groups and call centre gangs.
As of October 2024, over 1,100,000 accounts have been suspended. There has also been an intensified effort to arrest the owners of these mule accounts.
Prasert mentioned that, under the Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Measures Act of 2023, involvement in money mule and ghost SIM card activities are offenses.
He added that selling bank accounts might, previously, have seemed like an easy way to make money with little investment. If these accounts are exploited by criminals, however, they can cause significant harm.
Consequently, the government has enacted laws to establish measures to combat such technological crimes.
Those who allow others to use a bank account or act as money mules will be prosecuted under Section 9. Additionally, they may be charged with crimes committed through the account, as accomplices, and could also face compensation claims from victims.
He warned that anyone who suspects that they may have been deceived, or has sold their bank account details to others, should immediately instruct their bank to close the account.
Taking prompt action can help avoid being blacklisted as a money mule, which could result in the suspension of all your bank accounts. This can also help to avoid prosecution for supporting criminal activity.
