Extortionists in uniform ‘were also loan sharks’

A gang that consisted of an army basic and a senior policeman had a sideline as shylock in addition to obtaining 50 million baht from their victims, authorities state.

The 10-member gang had actually shaken individuals down on a minimum of 10 celebrations, requiring a minimum of 50 million baht from their victims, according to Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal, leader of the Patrol and Unique Operations Department.

Among the victims was a Chinese business owner who paid 2 million baht in reaction to a 20-million-baht need, he stated on Saturday.

Police have arrested eight suspects and 2 others are concealing in the nation, Pol Maj Gen Surachet stated. He determined the 2 still at big as Uthit Korkaew and Thitikorn Chuen-ura.

Those jailed were Maj Gen Jaroon Arpha, of the Royal Thai Army Head Office; Pol Lt Col Natthakrit Yutthaya, a detective with sub-division 5 of the Economic Criminal Offense Suppression Department; Saowadet Sakkittinan, Aphiwat Srinaprom, Thepphithak Ratthanee, Songwut Thiengtham, Opas Sriya, and Ko Tek Chuan, a Singaporean nationwide.

Pol Col Sarayut Junnawat, chief of the Khok Khram police headquarters where a grievance versus the gang was lodged, stated info was being collected from more victims. They consisted of the other half of a Chinese business owner who paid about 4 million baht after being jailed for ID card forgery at the Lat Phrao police headquarters in April 2014.

Another victim was a Chinese individual who was informed to pay 750,000 baht for a Thai ID card in the location managed by the Huai Khwang police headquarters in Might in 2015.

2 more victims were Chinese operators of a massage parlour in Pattaya. The gang required 10 million baht in defense cash from them, Pol Col Sarayut stated.

According to the station chief, the gang generally targeted Chinese travelers and businesspeople who bought Thailand.

Gang members pretended to examine files connected to their identities and services, declaring something was incorrect and utilizing that as a pretext for extortion. The Singaporean suspect was appointed to try to find possible victims.

The gang was likewise a source of casual loans in Don Muang district, Pol Col Sarayut stated.