Police from the Phuket Provincial Police Investigation Division confirmed the arrest of Anton Kurchenko, 41, at an apartment in Rawai on Sunday (Apr 20).
The arrest was carried out under a warrant issued by the Surat Thani Provincial Court (No. J.351/2569, dated Apr 17, on charges of aiding and abetting public fraud, inputting false computer data likely to cause public harm, and illegal use of another person’s electronic card.
Officers said the suspect was part of a group involved in withdrawing money obtained from victims of technology-related crimes, including call centre scams.
Investigators found that the suspect had made 16 cash withdraws totalling B331,000 from mule accounts via ATMs in the Chalong area, including at a Mini Big C branch on Soi Ta-iad.
Police linked the withdrawals to at least 16 case files, with combined damages estimated at B795,367, though overall losses tied to the wider network are believed to approach B1 million.
The operation was conducted under the direction of Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, with the investigation team led by Pol Lt Col Sophanat Nayaw.
Police said the suspect’s actions were consistent with the role of a “money mule” within a larger fraud network, responsible for withdrawing and transferring illicit funds on behalf of scam operators.
The suspect has been handed over to investigators at Kanchanadit Police Station in Surat Thani for further legal proceedings, while efforts continue to identify additional suspects involved in the network.