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The Star
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Thai authorities move to clip the wings of Cambodia's casino kingpin
BANGKOK: Many view Thailand's crackdown on online scam kingpins as a welcome move, but some argue it might never have happened if the Shinawatras and the Huns hadn't fallen out. According to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), from January 1 to July 9, 2025, Thailand recorded 175,477 online crime cases, averaging 919 cases per day. Of these, 31,107 were reported online and 15,407 were filed directly with authorities. The total financial damage is estimated at 14.87 billion baht (US$459,028,721), with only two per cent (approximately 295.8 million baht) successfully frozen in time. The most common scams were online purchase fraud (56 per cent), money transfer scams (26 per cent) and loan fraud (seven per cent). Authorities noted that more than 80 per cent of Thai victims were lured by networks based in Poipet, Cambodia, not from minority controlled areas of Myanmar as previously suspected. In response, the CCIB launched a nationwide crackdown, dubbed 'Operation Mule Account Takedown: Hunt for Cambodian Financiers,' raiding 19 locations across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi in a coordinated effort to dismantle mule account operations and trace funding sources. Thai authorities raided a residence in a housing estate in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, where an arrest warrant had been issued for Kok An (pic), the Cambodian casino mogul and owner of the Crown Casino Resort in Poipet. Kok An, who controls multiple high-rise casino towers—including a 25-storey and an 18-storey building in Poipet—has been accused of running a massive call centre scam operation targeting Thai citizens. He is now wanted for involvement in a transnational criminal organisation and money laundering. Thai police coordinated with the Criminal Court to secure the search warrant and are now working with Interpol to issue a red notice for Kok An and his network. Authorities are also preparing for a joint meeting with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to seek the Attorney-General's approval for international prosecution. Kok An is widely known not only as a powerful figure in Cambodia's gambling sector but also for his close ties to Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate. He is also reportedly connected to Ly Yong Phat. Both men are considered major revenue sources for the Cambodian regime. The raid in Bang Phli—believed to be one of Kok An's private residences—has raised suspicions about Ly Yong Phat's own involvement. Authorities are now monitoring his Bangkok property for possible links to the scam network. Originally from Hainan, China, Kok An was raised in Phnom Penh. He first made his fortune selling cigarettes, capitalising on the high demand among Cambodians. His success enabled him to expand into the lucrative casino business, establishing Crown Casino in Poipet—one of the closest gambling hubs to Thailand. The resort's strategic location near the Thai border made it especially popular among Thai patrons, many travelling directly from Bangkok. A significant portion of revenue from Kok An's operations is believed to have supported the Cambodian government until now. Ly Yong Phat is a Chinese-Cambodian tycoon with humble beginnings. He once earned a living ferrying boats to buy cigarettes and worked under Kok An before climbing the ranks. He later became a petrol station employee, then a business owner, eventually marrying Kok An's cousin, solidifying his connection to one of Cambodia's most powerful casino families. Ly Yong Phat's economic stronghold is Koh Kong, a province adjacent to Thailand's Trat border via the Hat Lek checkpoint. Koh Kong is home to his sprawling casino, hotel and resort empire. Although both Kok An and Ly Yong Phat amassed vast fortunes from gambling ventures, their operations have also incurred heavy losses. Still, gambling is only part of their financial empire—they hold monopolies in various sectors across Cambodia. Importantly, their influence stretches beyond Cambodia's elite. Both Kok An and Ly Yong Phat are known to maintain connections with prominent Thai figures, including politicians (past and present), business leaders, government officials and police officers. Currently, both men's operations are facing sharp declines due to tighter Thai border control measures. Thailand's restricted border opening hours, enhanced screening protocols and limits on cross-border tourism have significantly reduced foot traffic to Cambodian casinos. At the Or Samet checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey, opposite Thailand's Chong Chom checkpoint in Surin province, one of Ly Yong Phat's other casino sites now sees barely any Thai visitors. The once-bustling area is now quiet. Behind the checkpoint, large-scale construction is nearly complete—multiple buildings designed for accommodation and office use now stand at over 90 per cent completion. The entire compound is surrounded by high metal fences and barbed wire, underlining the high-security nature of the site. The once-close relationship between former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Hun Sen appears to have collapsed following the leaked audio clip of a conversation involving current Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The call, which centred on reopening border checkpoints amid a tense Thai-Cambodian standoff, has exposed deeper geopolitical rifts—and potentially criminal entanglements—on both sides of the border. 'I used to consider Hun Sen a brother, but after what he did to my daughter, I was in shock,' Thaksin told an audience during a speech at the '55 Years of Nation: Breaking Thailand's Deadlock' forum on the evening of July 9, 2025. According to Thaksin, Paetongtarn had gone to meet Khliang Huot, a close aide to Hun Sen, at the Rosewood Hotel, where a call with Hun Sen was arranged. Present at the meeting were Deputy PM and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiamphongsa and Prime Minister's Secretary-General Dr Prommin Lertsuridej. 'She waited almost three hours. They claimed he was asleep. Eventually, she and the team left. But not long after, Hun Sen called her directly on her private line. I suspect he wasn't asleep at all—but had prepared to record the conversation, I believe he knew we had the defence and foreign ministers present, which makes it all the more frustrating that he could go through with something like this.' Thaksin said, questioning Hun Sen's motive. Thaksin also reignited scrutiny of Cambodian casinos allegedly being used as bases for Thai-targeted call centre scams. 'Do you remember? I said that the 25-storey tower was a call centre hub. Our police investigated and found evidence. Now it's clear that Cambodia's economy has profited by deceiving Thais,' he said. He also linked the network to Huione, a company blacklisted in the US for money laundering. According to Thaksin, a major shareholder is a Chinese national believed to be laundering money globally, with Hun Sen's nephew, Hun To, listed among the shareholders. Just days before, on July 4, Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) held an urgent meeting chaired by acting PM and Interior Minister Phumtham, alongside senior defence and intelligence officials. The talks focused on coordinating the reopening of all border checkpoints simultaneously and withdrawing heavy weaponry from border areas. Although Thailand had finalised its proposals and was ready to sign, Cambodia reportedly insisted that Thailand open its side five hours ahead of Cambodia—a condition attributed to orders from Hun Sen and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Only then, Cambodia said, would it match the withdrawal of troops and weapons. The growing dispute has placed the Shinawatra-Hun family relationship under the spotlight, revealing how a previously personal alliance is now at the centre of national sovereignty, political narrative and criminal investigations. Thai authorities have since launched a series of aggressive operations targeting online fraud, transnational crime, money laundering, and call centre gangs. These networks have cost Thai citizens billions of baht, and the trail is now visibly linked to Cambodian power figures. The sudden intensification of law enforcement raises a provocative question: Would these crackdowns on high-level crime have been possible if Thaksin and Hun Sen's alliance had remained intact? Ultimately, it has reignited a familiar phrase in Thai political circles: 'There is nothing Thai police don't know—only what they choose to act on.' While cross-border crime didn't start in 2025, Thais have endured its consequences for years. Now, with alliances broken and truths exposed, the question remains—will justice finally follow? - The Nation/ANN
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Thai authorities move to clip wings of Cambodia's casino kingpin
BANGKOK: Many view the crackdown on online scam kingpins as a welcome move, but some argue it might never have happened if the Shinawatras and the Huns hadn't fallen out. According to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), from Jan 1 to July 9, 2025, Thailand recorded 175,477 online crime cases, averaging 919 cases per day. Of these, 31,107 were reported online and 15,407 were filed directly with authorities. The total financial damage is estimated at 14.87 billion baht, with only 2% (approximately 295.8 million baht) successfully frozen in time. The most common scams were: Online purchase fraud (56%) Money transfer scams (26%) Loan fraud (7%) Other types of deception Authorities noted that more than 80% of Thai victims were lured by networks based in Poipet, Cambodia, not from minority-controlled areas of Myanmar as previously suspected. In response, the CCIB launched a nationwide crackdown, dubbed 'Operation Mule Account Takedown: Hunt for Cambodian Financiers,' raiding 19 locations across Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi in a coordinated effort to dismantle mule account operations and trace funding sources. Thai authorities raided a residence in a housing estate in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, where an arrest warrant had been issued for Kok An, the Cambodian casino mogul and owner of the Crown Casino Resort in Poipet. Kok An, who controls multiple high-rise casino towers—including a 25-storey and an 18-storey building in Poipet—has been accused of running a massive call centre scam operation targeting Thai citizens. He is now wanted for involvement in a transnational criminal organisation and money laundering. Thai police coordinated with the Criminal Court to secure the search warrant and are now working with Interpol to issue a red notice for Kok An and his network. Authorities are also preparing for a joint meeting with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to seek the Attorney-General's approval for international prosecution. Kok An is widely known not only as a powerful figure in Cambodia's gambling sector but also for his close ties to Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate. He is also reportedly connected to Ly Yong Phat. Both men are considered major revenue sources for the Cambodian regime. The raid in Bang Phli—believed to be one of Kok An's private residences—has raised suspicions about Ly Yong Phat's own involvement. Authorities are now monitoring his Bangkok property for possible links to the scam network. Originally from Hainan, China, Kok An was raised in Phnom Penh. He first made his fortune selling cigarettes, capitalising on the high demand among Cambodians. His success enabled him to expand into the lucrative casino business, establishing Crown Casino in Poipet — one of the closest gambling hubs to Thailand. The resort's strategic location near the Thai border made it especially popular among Thai patrons, many travelling directly from Bangkok. A significant portion of revenue from Kok An's operations is believed to have supported the Cambodian government until now. Ly Yong Phat is a Chinese-Cambodian tycoon with humble beginnings. He once earned a living ferrying boats to buy cigarettes and worked under Kok An before climbing the ranks. He later became a petrol station employee, then a business owner, eventually marrying Kok An's cousin, solidifying his connection to one of Cambodia's most powerful casino families. Ly Yong Phat's economic stronghold is Koh Kong, a province adjacent to Thailand's Trat border via the Hat Lek checkpoint. Koh Kong is home to his sprawling casino, hotel, and resort empire. Although both Kok An and Ly Yong Phat amassed vast fortunes from gambling ventures, their operations have also incurred heavy losses. Still, gambling is only part of their financial empire—they hold monopolies in various sectors across Cambodia. Importantly, their influence stretches beyond Cambodia's elite. Both Kok An and Ly Yong Phat are known to maintain connections with prominent Thai figures, including politicians (past and present), business leaders, government officials, and police officers. Currently, both men's operations are facing sharp declines due to tighter Thai border control measures. Thailand's restricted border opening hours, enhanced screening protocols, and limits on cross-border tourism have significantly reduced foot traffic to Cambodian casinos. At the Or Samet checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey, opposite Thailand's Chong Chom checkpoint in Surin province, one of Ly Yong Phat's other casino sites now sees barely any Thai visitors. The once-bustling area is now quiet. Behind the checkpoint, large-scale construction is nearly complete—multiple buildings designed for accommodation and office use now stand at over 90% completion. The entire compound is surrounded by high metal fences and barbed wire, underlining the high-security nature of the site. The once-close relationship between former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Hun Sen appears to have collapsed following the leaked audio clip of a conversation involving current Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The call, which centred on reopening border checkpoints amid a tense Thai-Cambodian standoff, has exposed deeper geopolitical rifts—and potentially criminal entanglements—on both sides of the border. 'I used to consider Hun Sen a brother, but after what he did to my daughter, I was in shock,' Thaksin told an audience during a speech at the '55 Years of Nation: Breaking Thailand's Deadlock' forum on the evening of July 9, 2025. According to Thaksin, Paetongtarn had gone to meet Khliang Huot at the Rosewood Hotel, where a call with Hun Sen was arranged. Present at the meeting were Deputy PM and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiamphongsa, and Prime Minister's Secretary-General Dr Prommin Lertsuridej. 'She waited almost three hours. They claimed he was asleep. Eventually, she and the team left. But not long after, Hun Sen called her directly on her private line. I suspect he wasn't asleep at all—but had prepared to record the conversation, I believe he knew we had the defence and foreign ministers present, which makes it all the more frustrating that he could go through with something like this.' Thaksin said, questioning Hun Sen's motive. Thaksin also reignited scrutiny of Cambodian casinos allegedly being used as bases for Thai-targeted call centre scams. 'Do you remember? I said that the 25-storey tower was a call centre hub. Our police investigated and found evidence. Now it's clear that Cambodia's economy has profited by deceiving Thais,' he said. He also linked the network to Huione, a company blacklisted in the US for money laundering. According to Thaksin, a major shareholder is a Chinese national believed to be laundering money globally, with Hun Sen's nephew, Hun To, listed among the shareholders. Just days before, on July 4, Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) held an urgent meeting chaired by acting PM and Interior Minister Phumtham, alongside senior defence and intelligence officials. The talks focused on coordinating the reopening of all border checkpoints simultaneously and withdrawing heavy weaponry from border areas. Although Thailand had finalised its proposals and was ready to sign, Cambodia reportedly insisted that Thailand open its side five hours ahead of Cambodia—a condition attributed to orders from Hun Sen and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Only then, Cambodia said, would it match the withdrawal of troops and weapons. The growing dispute has placed the Shinawatra-Hun family relationship under the spotlight, revealing how a previously personal alliance is now at the centre of national sovereignty, political narrative, and criminal investigations. Thai authorities have since launched a series of aggressive operations targeting online fraud, transnational crime, money laundering, and call centre gangs. These networks have cost Thai citizens billions of baht, and the trail is now visibly linked to Cambodian power figures. The sudden intensification of law enforcement raises a provocative question: Would these crackdowns on high-level crime have been possible if Thaksin and Hun Sen's alliance had remained intact? Ultimately, it has reignited a familiar phrase in Thai political circles: 'There is nothing Thai police don't know—only what they choose to act on.' While cross-border crime didn't start in 2025, Thais have endured its consequences for years. Now, with alliances broken and truths exposed, the question remains—will justice finally follow? - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Arrest warrant out for Cambodian casino owner
The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Cambodian property owner Kok An, accused of backing scam centres in Poipet. The warrant was approved on Monday. On Tuesday morning police searched 19 houses - in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Chon Buri - looking for evidence and to stop possible transfers of suspect assets. According to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), the court approved an arrest warrant on Monday for Kok An, 71, on suspicion of supporting scam centres operating in buildings he owns in Poipet. The properties include the 18-storey HI-SO building and 25-storey Crown Casino building. The CCIB said the scam centres lured many Thais into opening mule accounts to assist in the movement of stolen funds, laundered money, and forcibly detained people. Police also suspect Kok An's daughter of involvement. The 42-year-old woman was identified as Juree Khlongkijjakol. She is a Cambodian national but has a Thai ID card. She is presently in Taiwan and avoided Tuesday's sweep, according to police. Her house in Prawet was among those searched. In Bangkok, police searched houses in Bang Na, Prawet and Saphan Sung districts. In Samut Prakan, searched properties were in Bang Phli district. In Chon Buri, one house was targeted in Bang Lamung district. Police impounded assets including luxury vehicles and about 27 million baht in cash. The raids followed an instruction from since suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for the suppression of scam gangs based in Cambodia.
The Star
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Over 1,800 people arrested in crack down on Asia-based scam operations
Police Colonel of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau of Royal Thai Police Piboonsook Ratiwerotkun, Superintendent of the National Counter Scam Center of Korean National Police Agency Sanghyun Park, Wong, Yap and Head of the Anti-Fraud Co-ordination Centre of Macao Judiciary Police Cheong Un-hong attend a press conference on a joint arrest operation combating cross-border scams in Hong Kong, China, on June 3, 2025. — Reuters HONG KONG: More than 1,800 people have been arrested in a joint operation across Asia targeting scam networks, police in Hong Kong said on June 3. The crack down involving authorities in six other jurisdictions successfully intercepted fraudulent funds involving about US$20mil (RM84.90mil), Wong Chun-yue, chief superintendent of the city's police's commercial crime bureau, said. The scam networks were closed down during the operation jointly conducted by South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and neighboring Chinese gambling hub Macao, he said. The operation, which also involved authorities from Malaysia and the Maldives, targeted cases of online shopping and telephone scams, as well as investment and employment frauds. Nearly 33,000 accounts were frozen in the month to May 28, Wong said. Those arrested were aged between 14 and 81. In one case in March, a finance director in Singapore was scammed through deep-fake videos by someone who claimed to be the chief executive at a multinational corporation. The victim transferred US$499,000 (RM 2.11mil) to Hong Kong, said Aileen Yap, assistant director of Singapore police's anti-scam command. Through cross-border cooperation, the money was recovered, she said. The victims of scams and online fraud often include not only those defrauded but also the workers used by scamming operations, with staff facing threats, violence and poor working conditions. A United Nations report in April found transnational organised crime groups in East and South-East Asia are spreading their scam operations across the globe. For several years, scam compounds have proliferated in South-East Asia, especially in border areas of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, as well as in the Philippines, shifting operations from site to site to stay a step ahead of the police, according to the report issued by the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime. The scam centres in Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos are notorious for luring people to work in them under false pretences. Staff are often forced to financially exploit people around the world through false romances, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes. Many workers find themselves trapped in virtual slavery. – AP
South China Morning Post
30-01-2025
- South China Morning Post
China, Thailand vow joint action on Myanmar cyber scammers, human trafficking
Published: 7:37pm, 30 Jan 2025 China and Thailand have pledged to jointly crack down on dozens of cyber scam gangs in Myanmar and related human trafficking, including setting up at least one coordination centre, according to Thai media reports. This comes as a delegation from China's Ministry of Public Security, led by assistant minister Liu Zhongyi, continues its visit to Thailand to seek ways to tackle the cross-border problem. Authorities in China had identified 36 major Chinese telecoms scam gangs operating in the Myawaddy region of southeastern Myanmar , Liu – who is also a senior police officer – told Thailand's chief cybercrime investigator on Monday, the reports said. The gangs had more than 100,000 people running phone scams to defraud victims – most of them Chinese, Liu said during hise meeting with Trairong Phiwpan, commissioner of Thailand's Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), at its office near Bangkok. Many Chinese citizens had been lured or deceived into working for these gangs in Myanmar, and some of these individuals were reportedly assaulted and some even lost their lives, Liu was quoted as saying by The Nation. The CCIB proposed that the two sides exchange information about the scam gangs and their trafficking activities, and that Chinese authorities support Thailand in locating and capturing the gang leaders and blocking the transfer of victims' money to scammers' accounts.
