Thailand: Gang Extorted Millions from Chinese Using Fake IDs
BANGKOK—In a sweeping operation codenamed “CIB Game On,” Thai authorities apprehended the masterminds behind a complex criminal enterprise involving the production of counterfeit identification cards and the subsequent extortion of Chinese nationals residing in Thailand. The operation, culminating in raids across seven provinces, exposed a network of corrupt officials and criminal actors preying on vulnerable individuals seeking legal documentation.
The investigation, launched in late 2023 following a complaint from a Chinese victim, uncovered a meticulously orchestrated scheme. Lured by a Facebook advertisement promising “legal” Thai ID cards for 1 million baht (approximately $29,650 USD), the victim fell prey to a carefully laid trap. The operation’s architects, 43-year-old Chinese national Mr. Li Zhijun and his 30-year-old Myanmar wife, Ms. Aye Sant, facilitated the production of deceptively authentic ID cards through connections with corrupt officials in a Nakhon Ratchasima province municipal office.
This was the first stage of the elaborate scam. After receiving the counterfeit IDs, victims were escorted to the Department of Consular Affairs in Bangkok to apply for passports. However, while unsuspecting victims waited at a nearby coffee shop, three complicit immigration police officers staged an “arrest” for using fraudulent documentation. These officers then demanded an exorbitant 5 million baht ($148,220 USD) to drop the fabricated charges, often negotiating down to 2 million baht ($59,300 USD).
The intricate network extended beyond the couple and the corrupt officers, encompassing recruiters enticing potential victims, middlemen procuring genuine ID cards subsequently reported as lost, and corrupt local officials issuing the counterfeit replacements. This sophisticated division of labor allowed the enterprise to operate with a veneer of legitimacy, making it difficult for victims to recognize the fraud until it was too late.
Adding another layer of complexity, the investigation revealed Mr. Li was a fugitive wanted in China for a staggering 15 billion baht fraud scheme impacting 3,000 victims. He had evaded Chinese authorities in 2021 by entering Thailand using a specialized ID card typically reserved for long-term resident ethnic minorities.
Further investigation revealed Mr. Li had established a shell company in Samut Prakan province, using Thai nominees and brokers to mask his involvement. While the company had a registered address, investigations revealed no actual business activity, physical office, or employees. Disturbingly, the same address was linked to 14 other similar shell companies, suggesting a much broader network of potentially illicit activities. Initial interviews with individuals listed as partners confirmed they were merely paid figureheads, raising concerns about a vast web of phantom businesses potentially involved in various illegal activities.
On March 6, 2025, following coordinated raids across eleven locations in seven provinces, Police General Thatchai Pitanilabut, National Police Inspector General, announced the successful dismantling of the criminal network. Authorities seized significant evidence, including bank accounts, cash, phones, computers, vehicles, and nearly 200 documents. The confiscated materials are expected to provide crucial insights into the operation’s full scope and the flow of illicit funds.
The arrested couple now face multiple charges, including public fraud, manipulating computer systems with false information, forgery of official documents, and abetting corrupt officials. Financial investigations revealed the network’s companies circulated a staggering 400–500 million baht ($12–15 million USD) within a year, with funds originating from illegal border businesses and online scams.
The four implicated immigration officers, already incarcerated for a separate extortion case, face additional charges. Police Lieutenant General Jirapop Phuridet, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), confirmed Mr. Li will face prosecution in Thailand before extradition to China to answer charges related to the outstanding Red Notice against him. This transnational cooperation underscores both nations' commitment to combating cross-border criminal activities and ensuring that those seeking refuge from justice in one country do not find impunity in another. The “CIB Game On” operation serves as a potent reminder of the complex challenges posed by transnational crime and the crucial importance of international collaboration in bringing perpetrators to justice.
