The group filed claims with various insurers. Some companies, unaware of the wider pattern, paid out over 900,000 baht in damages. Several other cases are still being processed, with total losses projected to exceed 1 million baht.
Further investigation revealed the scam involved four people. Anucha, the ringleader, had leased all four cars in a single month, making only the first instalment on each.
The group then allegedly staged the accidents by driving the vehicles onto remote roads along irrigation canals in Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, and Kanchanaburi. One of the accomplices was found to have staged two separate accidents in quick succession.
Financial records showed that the insurance money paid to Anucha was transferred to his relatives’ bank accounts or withdrawn as cash. When investigators demanded to inspect the damaged cars, he failed to produce them, leading police to secure an arrest warrant.
During questioning, Anucha partially admitted to the charges. He confessed to acquiring the four cars and insuring them but claimed he had sold them on to others shortly after.
He stated he later learned of the accidents and, upon finding the insurance money in his account, withdrew it for personal use. However, he continues to deny any direct involvement in the fraudulent scheme.
