Chinese National Arrested in Bangkok for Call Center Scam Targeting Elderly
Police in Bangkok have arrested a 29-year-old Chinese national accused of posing as a police officer to defraud an elderly woman of over 8 million baht.
On November 15, 2026, officers from the Lak Song Police Station apprehended 29-year-old Chinese national Sihu Qinglu at a shopping mall in the Bang Khae district of Bangkok. According to Khaosod Online, the suspect was part of a call center gang that allegedly impersonated Khon Kaen police officers to deceive a 70-year-old woman. The victim reported losing over 8 million baht in cash and gold to the scammers. The arrest occurred after the suspect returned to the same location, attempting to extort an additional 1 million baht from the victim. Police successfully executed a sting operation to capture him as he arrived to collect the funds. This incident highlights the ongoing prevalence of sophisticated call center scams in Thailand, which frequently target vulnerable individuals by using intimidation and false authority. For residents and visitors, this case serves as a reminder to remain vigilant against unsolicited calls claiming to be from government or law enforcement agencies. Authorities never request money transfers or gold to resolve legal matters. While the suspect is currently in custody, investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the criminal network involved in this operation.
