Millions of baht recovered in two robberies in one day

POLICE  recovered 5 and 8 million baht stolen during two separate cryptocurrency transactions in one day yesterday (Jan. 9) with  two suspects who appeared to be Chinese arrested in one of the robberies, Amarin TV said this morning.

At 11.50 p.m. Pol. Col. Prasopchok Aimpinij, superintendent of Huai Khwang police station, said in an interview that the same middleman, Mr. Chen, had arranged both the cryptocurrency transactions during which the two large sums were stolen.

The five million baht was recovered from a shophouse in Sathorn district, which was where a Alphard van driver dropped off three robbers who stole 5 million baht from the first victim, after surrounding and raiding it. The van was parked at Tae Chiew Health Park nearby and had to be towed to the police station because there was no key. Even so, the police did see fingerprints on a glass window.

In this the first robbery, the unidentified Chinese victim had brought 5 million baht to a house in Huai Khawang district to exchange for cryptocurrencies but upon placing the bag on the table the three men picked it up and got into the Alphard van and fled towards Asoke Montri road.

He gave chase but failed to catch up so came to the police.

The victim said he had made similar transactions three to four times previously with Chen being the middleman.

The second robbery took place at G Tower building on Rama 9 road with two Chinese victims having brought 8 million baht to exchange for cryptocurrencies from four people. During negotiations the sellers transferred the cryptocurrencies to Chen’s account but he then refused to transfer the purchased digital currency to the buyers.

Police have arrested two suspects in the second robbery and are in the process of calling the two victims for questioning.

Police believe Chen was the mastermind of the two robberies because he was the middleman who arranged the transactions and when the second party gave the 8 million baht he refused to transfer the cryptocurrencies.

Photos: Amarin TV

This report originally appeared at www.thainewsroom.com