UPDATE: Cyber police arrest wanted hacker accused of B200,000 online top-up fraud in Phuket

Cyber police have identified a 26-year-old man arrested in Phuket as Sahachat Chuaybamrung, who is accused of attempting to access a Royal Thai Police database to erase his own arrest warrants before allegedly exploiting an online gaming and mobile-phone top-up service.

Sahachat was arrested on Saturday, 18 July, at a room in Talad Yai, Phuket Town. Police said the operation was carried out under a search warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court and an arrest warrant from the Surat Thani Provincial Court.

According to investigators, an online game and mobile-phone top-up service reported suspicious activity in June. Police allege Sahachat targeted Firstup.in.th, which provides online game top-ups and mobile credit services, by creating fraudulent user accounts and manipulating the company’s payment system so unsuccessful transactions appeared to have been completed.

The alleged false payment confirmations allowed credit to be added to accounts without payments being made, police said. The credit was then allegedly used to obtain prepaid online-game codes, causing losses estimated at more than B200,000.

Police said Sahachat, who had completed only Grade 6, taught himself computer skills with the assistance of AI chatbots and other AI tools. During questioning, he reportedly said he had initially tried to breach government computer systems to remove his own arrest warrants, but turned to commercial websites with weaker security after those attempts failed.

Cyber Police Taskforce Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembutr ordered the joint operation with officers from Provincial Police Region 8. Officers seized a desktop computer, a laptop, four mobile phones, a .380 handgun, a magazine, 64 rounds of ammunition and 80 methamphetamine pills during the raid.

Police said a background check found Sahachat was wanted under five outstanding warrants involving allegations including robbery, fraud and Computer Crime Act offences. They said he later moved to Phuket and worked as a freelance hacker before his arrest.

Authorities said he faces multiple charges, including theft, receiving stolen property, Computer Crime Act violations, possession of methamphetamine for sale, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. The investigation is continuing.