Over 130,000 Mule Bank Accounts Shut Down in Cybercrime Crackdown
BANGKOK, Thailand – April 16, 2025 — Thai authorities have deactivated over 130,000 mule bank accounts and arrested 869 individuals in the first quarter of 2025 as part of an aggressive campaign to combat online fraud and money laundering.
According to Sasikarn Wattanachan, deputy government spokeswoman, the Anti-Online Crime Operation Center (AOC) under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is stepping up its efforts against cybercriminal networks.
Key Statistics (January–March 2025):
- Mule accounts closed: 135,279
- Individuals arrested: 869
- Fraudulent SIM cards: Included in crackdown operations
Since Emergency Decree (October 2023–Present):
- Total arrests: 5,399
- Total mule accounts deactivated: 582,548
Sasikarn emphasized that knowingly allowing one’s bank account to be used for illegal transactions is a criminal offense, punishable by:
- Up to three years in prison
- A fine of up to 300,000 baht
- Or both
The crackdown is part of a broader effort to curb the rising tide of cybercrime in Thailand, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant and avoid unknowingly becoming accomplices in financial scams.
