Thai woman extorts over Rs 100 crore by seducing, blackmailing Buddhist monks
What started as gossip in temple corridors has now exploded into a national scandal. At least nine abbots and senior monks have been disrobed and expelled from the monkhood, an institution respected by millions in this actively Buddhist nation. The Royal Thai Police say more names could follow as investigations open up.
Wilawan was arrested on Tuesday at her home just north of Bangkok on multiple charges including extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. Authorities say they acted swiftly, fearing she could destroy evidence.
Deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau Jaroonkiat Pankaew said, 'this woman is dangerous and we needed to arrest her as soon as possible'.
Police allege that Wilawan used romantic and sexual traps to manipulate monks into transferring large sums of money often taken from temple bank accounts, under the threat of public exposure. In one case, she allegedly claimed to be pregnant and demanded 7.2 million baht from a abbot who later fled the monkhood in disgrace.
Digital forensics uncovered tens of thousands of photos, videos, and chats on Wilawan's phones evidence that could involve several more monks in Thailand. Investigators found over 385 million baht (over Rs 101 crore) had passed through her bank accounts over the past three years, much of it believed to have been spent on online gambling sites.
'She exploited their vulnerabilities… It's a betrayal not only of individuals but of public trust in our religious institutions' Jaroonkiat said.
Acting Prime Minister of Thailand Phumtham Wechayachai has ordered a review of monk regulations and temple finances, calling for greater transparency to restore faith in Buddhism.
Police have also set up a Facebook page inviting the public to report unethical behavior by monks, signaling what could be a long and reckoning for the clergy.
Wilawan has remained silent since her arrest. She previously admitted to a single relationship in an interview before charges were filed, claiming she had given money to the monk involved. Her legal representation, if any, remains unclear.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
20 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Eye on Bihar elections, here are the projects PM Modi will be inaugurating on July 18
PM Modi Bihar Visit July 18: With an eye on Bihar Assembly elections scheduled this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified efforts to inaugurate and launch several infrastructure and development projects aimed at boosting the state's economy and addressing long-pending public demands. The current legislative assembly's term is set to conclude in November. On July 18 (Friday), PM Modi will visit Bihar to lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,200 crore at Motihari. According to the details available, PM Modi will also address a public function. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation development projects catering to Rail, Road, Rural Development, Fisheries, Electronics and Information Technology sectors. During his visit, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation multiple rail projects. It includes automatic signalling between Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line that will enable efficient train operations in this section. Doubling of Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur rail line part of Darbhanga-Samastipur doubling project worth over Rs 580 crore that will enhance the capacity of train operations and reduce delays. PM will also lay the foundation stone for multiple rail projects. Rail projects include development of infrastructure for maintenance of Vande Bharat trains at Patliputra. Automatic signalling on Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin rail line (114 km) to enable streamlined train operations. Upgradation of traction system in Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin section to enable higher train speeds by strengthening the traction system infrastructure and optimising energy efficiency. Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj rail line doubling project worth around Rs 4,080 crore to increase sectional capacity, enable operation of more passenger and freight trains, strengthen connectivity between North Bihar and the rest of the country. He will also flag off four new Amrit Bharat trains between Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna) to New Delhi, Bapudham Motihari to Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal), Darbhanga to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) and Malda Town to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur improving connectivity in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for 4-laning of Ara bypass of NH-319 that connects Ara-Mohania NH-319 and Patna-Buxar NH-922 providing seamless connectivity and reducing travel time. He will also inaugurate the 4-lane Parariya to Mohania section of NH-319, worth over Rs 820 crore, part of NH-319 which connects Ara Town to NH-02 (Golden Quadrilateral) that will improve freight and passenger movement. Among others, a 2-lane with paved shoulder from Sarwan to Chakai of NH-333C which will facilitate the movement of goods and people and act as a key link between Bihar and Jharkhand. He is also scheduled to inaugurate New Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility at Darbhanga and State of the art Incubation Facility of STPI at Patna for promoting IT/ITES/ESDM Industry and Startups. These facilities will help in boosting IT software and service exports. The PM will inaugurate a series of fisheries development projects sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). This will mark the launch of modern fisheries infrastructure including new fish hatcheries, biofloc units, ornamental fish farming, integrated aquaculture units, and fish feed mills across various districts in Bihar. Later in the day, the PM will release Rs 400 crore to around 61,500 Self-Help Groups in Bihar under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). With a special focus on women-led development, over 10 crore women have been connected to Self-Help Groups (SHGs). He will also hand over keys to some beneficiaries as a part of Griha Pravesh of 12,000 beneficiaries and release over Rs 160 crore to 40,000 beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin.
Hans India
23 minutes ago
- Hans India
Co-operative bank fraud case: ED raids over 10 locations in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) sleuths on Thursday conducted raids in connection with the Shushruti Co-operative Society fraud case in Bengaluru. According to sources, raids were carried out at more than ten locations across the city. Earlier, in 2022, the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) had registered a case against the Shushruti Co-operative Society. Following its investigation, the CCB had arrested several individuals. The society was established by N. Shrinivasa Murthy, who later appointed several of his family members as directors and members. The case was filed after it was found that the society had issued loans to insiders and failed to return money to depositors. Following the CCB case, the ED launched its own investigation. Based on the FIR filed by the CCB, the ED registered an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) and initiated action. Sources stated that ED Karnataka is conducting search operations at more than 10 locations in and around Bengaluru in connection with Shushruti Souharda Bank, Shruthi Souharda Bank, and Shree Lakshmi Souharda Bank, along with their promoters, N. Shrinivasa Murthy and his family members. This case pertains to the alleged cheating of over Rs 100 crore from more than 15,000 depositors, who were lured into investing with promises of high interest rates, sources added. Subsequently, the collected funds were diverted through unsecured loans to associates. Most of these loans turned into non-performing assets (NPAs), and the money was laundered and used to purchase properties, indicating clear violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The proceeds of crime (POC) in this case are estimated to exceed Rs 100 crore, according to sources. So far, more than 20 high-value properties -- previously unidentified by the Karnataka Police under the Karnataka Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishments Act (KPIDE) -- have been uncovered during the ED's ongoing search operations, sources said.
Mint
30 minutes ago
- Mint
Woman earns ₹100 crore by blackmailing Thai monks with thousands of ‘intimate' photos and videos
At least nine Thai monks were extorted of a whopping 385 million baht ( ₹ 102.14 crore) over the past three years by a single woman. Yes, just one woman! According to a BBC news report, this woman, whom the police refer to as 'Ms Golf', allegedly engaged in sexual activities with the monks and then used the pictures and videos of the act to extort money from them. Over 80,000 photos and videos used to blackmail the monks were found in her house during the investigation. The case first came to the police's attention in mid-June after an abbot in Bangkok suddenly left monkhood. According to Thai police, Ms Golf 'had a relationship' with a monk in May 2024. She later claimed to have his baby and demanded child support of more than 7 million baht. However, upon investigation, the police learnt that the other monks were blackmailed in a similar fashion, calling it her "modus operandi". Nearly all of the money she extorted has been withdrawn, and some of it has been used for online gambling, said the police. Ms Golf, the woman behind the scandal of millions, is facing multiple charges including extortion, money laundering and receiving stolen goods. This scandal is the latest to rock Thailand's much-revered Buddhist institution, which in recent years has been plagued with allegations of monks engaging in sex offences and drug trafficking. The police have now opened a hotline for people to report 'misbehaving monks'. In Thailand, where over 90% of the population identify as Buddhist, monks are deeply respected. It's common for many Thai men to temporarily ordain as monks to gain merit and accumulate good karma. However, the recent scandal has led the Sangha Supreme Council—the governing authority of Thai Buddhism—to announce plans for a special committee to review existing monastic regulations.
