Phuket police nab Taiwanese for buying multiple bank accounts

Kathu police have arrested a Taiwanese man who attempted to hire 12 Thai people to open accounts with ATM cards for “financial transactions”.

One of the 12 reported the matter to the police.

Chen Yuchung, 33, was arrested just before leaving his accommodation in Patong to head for Phuket International Airport. He was in Thailand on a tourist visa.

He admitted that he had hired Thai people to open multiple bank accounts.

The 12 bank accounts were opened in Jungceylon and Central Festival Phuket malls. Each of the 12 people was paid between B5,000 and B7,000 to open an account.

Suwarot Taebut, 47, who was offered B6,000, reported Chen’s approach to Kathu police.

When arrested, Chen was found in possession of five Kasikornbank ATM cards for three accounts with bank books in the name of Tom Onkaew, Moe Thidarwin and Suwarot Taebut; six Bangkok Bank ATM cards and one bank book in the name of Naw Li Zar; and one Siam Commercial Bank ATM card.

It is not yet clear what these might be used for. Chen himself told police he had no idea what the bank accounts would be used for.

Phuket News

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