📰 Legal Update | Supreme Court Ruling on Bank Account Misuse

⚖️ Supreme Court Judgment No. 4920/2567

Opening a Bank Account for Others and Handing Over the Passbook Can Lead to Criminal Liability as an Accomplice in Fraud

The Thai Supreme Court recently issued a significant ruling that serves as a legal warning: opening a bank account and handing the passbook to someone else, regardless of intent, may result in criminal charges.

In this case, the defendant hired someone to open a bank account and later gave the passbook to a third party. The Court held that this was abnormal conduct, reflecting malicious intent. Given the circumstances, the defendant should have foreseen the possibility that the account might be used for illegal purposes, such as assisting criminals in committing fraud by impersonating others.

Claiming ignorance or deception is not a valid legal defense.

🔍 Key Legal Findings:

The defendant’s actions facilitated fraudulent activity using their bank account.
The Court found the defendant guilty of being an accomplice to the crime of public fraud through impersonation.
This decision reinforces that even indirect involvement in fraud-related activities can lead to criminal liability.

🚨 Legal Risk Awareness

Never open or hand over a bank account to another person for use — doing so may be criminally prosecuted.
Ignorance is not an excuse: the law presumes individuals must be aware of the potential misuse of their personal financial instruments.
You may be held liable if your account is used to commit a crime, even if you did not participate directly.

📌 Our law firm offers professional legal consultation on criminal liability, fraud prevention, and financial crime defense.
Contact us today to ensure your legal safety and compliance.

📰 Legal Update | Supreme Court Ruling on Bank Account Misuse