Thai immigration police raid visa agency over fake bank statements

BANGKOK — 17 August 2026, Immigration police raided a visa agency in Bangkok after an investigation found suspected forged bank statements and other fake documents used in applications for European visas.

The investigation began after an embassy of a European country alerted Thai police that several Thai applicants had submitted suspicious documents, particularly bank statements that appeared to have been falsified.

Immigration Bureau deputy chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Phanthana Nuchanart ordered officers from Immigration Division 3 to execute a search warrant issued by the Min Buri Criminal Court at a visa consultancy office in Sai Mai district, Bangkok.

Officers seized fake bank stamps and stamps belonging to various agencies, more than 20 suspected fake financial documents, four desktop computers and dozens of other forged documents, including salary certificates and bank statements.

Investigators believe the office was being used to produce forged documents for Thai clients applying for visas to travel abroad.

Officers compared the seized documents with records from the banks concerned and found similar irregularities in five cases. The names of the applicants did not match the actual bank account holders, while transaction records had been altered and did not correspond with information confirmed by the banks.

Investigators also found that the five applicants’ travel expenses were paid using the same foreign bank credit card number.

All items were seized for forensic examination and further investigation into other people involved.

Immigration Division 3 chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha said preliminary inquiries indicated that more than 400 customers may have been affected.

The company reportedly charged each customer 40,000 baht, putting the total value of the suspected transactions at more than 16 million baht.

The suspects could face charges including jointly forging and using forged documents under Sections 264, 265 and 268 of the Criminal Code, as well as forging official seals under Sections 251 and 252.

Authorities said the exact charges will be determined after forensic examination of the seized evidence and further investigation.