US$1.2 million fake notes seized as police bust counterfeit gang

The arrest was announced at a press conference yesterday by Provincial Police Bureau 2 commissioner Lt Gen Jitti Rodbangyang, Chon Buri Police commander Pol Maj Gen Decha Songhong and a US Secret Service officer.
Jitti said the nine suspects, including a Chinese man, Zhu Ifeng, 35, were arrested in the operation carried out from July 27 to August 1.
The eight Thai suspects were identified as Suphannikr Laochai, 40, Hanusa Sarakhon, 43, Jarunee Inwilai, 37, Akkarachai Suwatsupakul, 35, Suwatjak Siriwong, 50, Thanatpornlak Pattamaridsam, 53, Kanmanee Yimudam, 50, and Supakorn Raksaburi, 64.
Jitti said fake US100 bills with a face value of US1.262 million were seized. The authorities also seized three packs of white paper for printing the banknotes and six fake banknote detecting machines.
Authorities also seized a skimming machine and nine fake electronic cards.
Jitti said authorities found that Zhu and his Thai accomplices also stole data of credit cards to make fake cards to steal from the owners’ accounts.
The US Secret Service officer said similar fake notes that seemed to be printed by the same mould have been found and seized in Thailand and neighbouring countries.
Fake notes printed by the same moulds have been used at several Thai bank branches during the past four years, he said.