The Prevention and Suppression of Technology Crimes (PSTC) Committee, led by Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong, has made significant progres in combating cybercrime. During the second phase of its operation in May, the committee shut down over 815,000 mule accounts and executed numerous high-profile arrests, targeting online fraud and deception schemes.
The operations, running from May 1 to 31, saw the closure of 815,873 mule accounts – including 344,079 by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), 300,000 by banks, and 171,794 by the Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC). This effort was part of a broader mandate issued by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin under the 2023 Royal Decree aimed at curbing technology crimes, particularly the rise in scams perpetrated by call-center gangs.
Mule Accounts and SIM Cards: Easier Than You Think—But Increasingly Challenging
These days, finding mule accounts isn’t as hard as it might seem. Typically, mule banking accounts belong to older Thai people or those in poorer rural areas. Insider sources reveal that these accounts are sold for around 60,000 THB annually, giving criminals access to use them for illicit purposes. On the SIM card side, many are purchased from small-time criminals linked to Myanmar immigrants, who register SIM cards under their names for as little as 150 THB per card and market price are 400-500 thb per sim card.
A significant number of these mule accounts are connected to online gambling rings and scam centers. The structure of these operations is often simple and could be dismantled easily if it weren’t for the sheer volume of accounts available. This growing pool of mule accounts not only supports illegal activities but also makes it difficult for authorities to completely shut down such operations. New structures and website can be set up in a matter of few days.
Mule accounts have also become a straightforward way to launder money. According to insider sources, a single individual can move up to 3,000,000 THB in cash per week through multiple accounts. This trend shows that money laundering techniques are returning to basics. The real challenge, however, is the sheer number of these accounts that remain available, making it harder to fully control.
That being said, it’s getting tougher to get your hands on these accounts or SIM cards. The government’s crackdown on scams has made it increasingly difficult. This creates a bit of a challenge for investigators who rely on anonymous SIM cards to carry out their work. Navigating this new environment can be tricky, but at Compliancia, we’re always one step ahead and can navigate these hurdles effectively without compromising on our goals.
Mobile SIM Card Crackdown: The panel also made significant strides in tackling SIM cards linked to mule mobile banking. As of May 26, more than 42,000 SIM cards making over 100 calls per day were suspended, with authorities identifying a further 5 million numbers owned by individuals holding excessive amounts of SIM cards. Among these, 2.3 million numbers have been suspended after the owners failed to verify their identities.
Looking forward, the authorities have set a deadline of July 13 for owners of multiple SIM cards to clarify their use of such numbers. The PSTC’s coordinated approach is being strengthened through a new memorandum of understanding between key agencies, including the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, DSI, and AMLO, to further suppress cybercrime.