Chiang Mai and Bangkok shop network skimmed cards of 1,200 Chinese tourists

Thai police have arrested a Chinese national and three Thai nationals accused of running a credit card skimming operation that targeted Chinese tourists at souvenir shops in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, resulting in losses of approximately Bt30 million.

Pol Maj Gen Puthipong Musikul, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), disclosed details of the arrests on Monday, 27 July 2026. He said the four suspects were apprehended last week following a request from the Chinese embassy for legal action after the misuse of stolen card data belonging to around 1,200 Chinese visitors to Thailand.

Pol Maj Gen Puthipong said investigators believe the group formed part of a wider criminal network with links spanning China, Thailand and the United States. The CIB launched a dedicated investigation, referred to internally as Operation Card Shield, in response to the complaint.

According to police, the suspects allegedly skimmed data from Chinese tourists' UnionPay credit cards and used it to produce forged cards, which were then used to purchase goods and withdraw cash. Authorities estimate total losses at around 6 million yuan, equivalent to roughly Bt30 million.

Pol Col Krit Worathat, chief of Economic Crime Suppression Division 5, who led the operation, said the victims had all used their UnionPay cards to pay for goods and services at shops in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Three premises were named in connection with the case: the CM Yummy Fruit Dried Shop and a second dried fruit shop in tambon Suthep, Chiang Mai's Muang district, along with the Yaowarat Fruit Dry Shop on Yaowarat Road in Bangkok.

Pol Col Krit said the three shops were registered under the names of the Chinese suspect, identified as Chao Ji, 42, and three Thai suspects identified as Salinee, 33, Jittra, 32, and Theeraphat, 32.

Police searched the three shops and the suspects' residences on 22 July 2026. Officers reportedly recovered 11 computer keyboards fitted with card skimming devices, three electronic data capture (EDC) machines, five computers and 18 surveillance cameras.

Shop employees told investigators they had been instructed to process customers' UnionPay cards twice, once through a keyboard fitted with a skimmer and again through an EDC reader. Staff said that if customers questioned the repeated transactions, they were told to explain it as necessary to apply a 32 per cent discount.

Police allege that stolen card data, along with PIN numbers captured through surveillance cameras positioned to record customers entering their codes, was transmitted via the LINE messaging application to associates based in the United States. Investigators say the forged cards were then produced and used there.

Pol Col Krit said Chao had admitted involvement in the scheme. He was quoted as saying he had purchased the skimmer-equipped keyboards from China, and that the forged cards were used to buy luxury goods and withdraw cash, with proceeds shared among members of the group.

The case remains under investigation, and police have not indicated whether further arrests or charges are expected.