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The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Thai police uncover two Chinese-led online fraud rings in latest blitz against scammers
BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Chiang Mai police have arrested three suspects linked to two Chinese-led online fraud rings, uncovering a network that defrauded the public through fake investment schemes and money mule operations. Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT), revealed on July 21 that intensified crackdowns on cybercrime are underway across the country. Following a coordination meeting held on July 18, which brought together representatives from multiple agencies to review recent operations and issue renewed directives for continued enforcement, officials reported several notable developments in cybercrime cases. One of the most notable cases, reported by Provincial Police Region 5, involved the raid of a luxury pool villa in Chiang Mai's Hang Dong district, where a Chinese-led gang had allegedly set up an online gambling and investment scam operation targeting elderly Chinese nationals. Online gambling scam linked to over 500 million baht in losses Acting on intelligence reports, police raided the villa located in the Ban Waen subdistrict and found 14 Chinese nationals, consisting of 11 men and three women, as well as three Myanmar nationals - a man and two women - inside. The suspects were caught actively operating fraudulent platforms aimed at luring elderly Chinese citizens aged 60 to 80 into bogus online investments. Officers seized 10 desktop computers and 26 mobile phones used in the scam. According to investigators, the gang used Thailand as a base to run a call centre scheme that encouraged victims to invest via mobile applications. Once funds were transferred, contact with the victims was immediately severed. This group had recently relocated their operation from San Sai district to Hang Dong, reportedly under the direction of a Chinese national acting as the operation's ringleader. The move followed a police crackdown on another Chinese-run scam operation at a luxury housing estate in San Sai on June 16. Visa loopholes and university involvement Forensic analysis of seized equipment revealed that the suspects had entered Thailand on tourist or student visas. In many cases, those on student visas could not even name the institutions they were allegedly attending. A subsequent investigation found that at least five universities in Chiang Mai—both monastic and private—had issued student visas to over 13,000 Chinese nationals. Authorities believe some of these individuals exploited the visa system to reside in Thailand and carry out fraud against fellow Chinese citizens. Preliminary estimates suggest over 100,000 Chinese victims were defrauded, with losses totalling more than 100 million yuan (S$17.9 million). All suspects are now in custody and face charges, including public fraud and involvement in transnational criminal networks. Authorities will coordinate with the Chinese consulate for further verification and intend to expand the investigation to identify and dismantle the wider network. Thai police bust gang linked to call centre scam, seizing millions Chiang Mai Provincial Police have arrested three suspects, including one Thai woman and two Chinese men, in connection with fraud and computer crimes. The arrests were made following a warrant issued by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court for their involvement in deceiving the public and falsifying data through computer systems, which could potentially harm the public. The arrests stemmed from a report received by the Mae Ping Police Station about a quarrel between a Chinese man and a Thai woman in front of an ATM at a popular shopping mall in central Chiang Mai. Upon intervention, officers found scattered cash totalling over 2.6 million baht (S$103,090), prompting them to bring the suspects to the station for further investigation. Investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a larger scam operation, led by a Chinese mastermind who tricked both Chinese and Thai nationals into investing in fraudulent schemes. The two Chinese men arrested were responsible for managing a group of money mules who would withdraw funds and deliver them to the boss. The Thai woman, who had taken on her first task as a money mule to pay off her debts, was caught during the operation. Police are expanding their investigation to uncover the full scope of the criminal network involved. Gen Thatchai emphasised that with the rapid advancement of technology, online crime has become a significant threat to individuals and society. In particular, the issue of 'money mule' accounts has emerged as a key method for criminals to launder money and defraud the public. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive strategy and cooperation from all sectors. 'The key to combating online crime is intercepting it at the source,' Gen Thatchai said. 'This includes addressing the use of companies as channels for money laundering and the opening of money mule accounts, both by Thai citizens and foreigners, which are exploited in criminal activities.' The police have stepped up measures to control financial transactions, particularly those involving illegal cross-border withdrawals and transfers. Additionally, Gen Thatchai highlighted the importance of preventing Thai nationals from illegally crossing borders to work in foreign countries, which often leads them to become victims or accomplices in call centre scams. 'We must have clear processes in place to repatriate Thai nationals involved in such activities to ensure efficient and humane handling of these cases,' Gen Thatchai concluded. 'This will help expedite legal actions and ensure the process is conducted in accordance with human rights principles.' -- THE NATION THAILAND/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Thai police uncover two Chinese-led online fraud rings
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The network defrauded members of the public through fake investment schemes and money mule operations. BANGKOK - Chiang Mai police have arrested three suspects linked to two Chinese-led online fraud rings, uncovering a network that defrauded the public through fake investment schemes and money mule operations. Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot , Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT), revealed on July 21 that intensified crackdowns on cybercrime are underway across the country. Following a coordination meeting held on July 18, which brought together representatives from multiple agencies to review recent operations and issue renewed directives for continued enforcement, officials reported several notable developments in cybercrime cases. One of the most notable cases, reported by Provincial Police Region 5, involved the raid of a luxury pool villa in Chiang Mai's Hang Dong district, where a Chinese-led gang had allegedly set up an online gambling and investment scam operation targeting elderly Chinese nationals. Online gambling scam linked to over 500 million baht in losses Acting on intelligence reports, police raided the villa located in the Ban Waen subdistrict and found 14 Chinese nationals, consisting of 11 men and three women, as well as three Myanmar nationals - a man and two women - inside. The suspects were caught actively operating fraudulent platforms aimed at luring elderly Chinese citizens aged 60 to 80 into bogus online investments. Officers seized 10 desktop computers and 26 mobile phones used in the scam. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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This group had recently relocated their operation from San Sai district to Hang Dong, reportedly under the direction of a Chinese national acting as the operation's ringleader. The move followed a police crackdown on another Chinese-run scam operation at a luxury housing estate in San Sai on June 16. Visa loopholes and university involvement Forensic analysis of seized equipment revealed that the suspects had entered Thailand on tourist or student visas. In many cases, those on student visas could not even name the institutions they were allegedly attending. A subsequent investigation found that at least five universities in Chiang Mai—both monastic and private—had issued student visas to over 13,000 Chinese nationals. Authorities believe some of these individuals exploited the visa system to reside in Thailand and carry out fraud against fellow Chinese citizens. Preliminary estimates suggest over 100,000 Chinese victims were defrauded, with losses totalling more than 100 million yuan (S$17.9 million). All suspects are now in custody and face charges, including public fraud and involvement in transnational criminal networks. Authorities will coordinate with the Chinese consulate for further verification and intend to expand the investigation to identify and dismantle the wider network. Thai police bust gang linked to call centre scam, seizing millions Chiang Mai Provincial Police have arrested three suspects, including one Thai woman and two Chinese men, in connection with fraud and computer crimes. The arrests were made following a warrant issued by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court for their involvement in deceiving the public and falsifying data through computer systems, which could potentially harm the public. The arrests stemmed from a report received by the Mae Ping Police Station about a quarrel between a Chinese man and a Thai woman in front of an ATM at a popular shopping mall in central Chiang Mai. Upon intervention, officers found scattered cash totalling over 2.6 million baht (S$103,090), prompting them to bring the suspects to the station for further investigation. Investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a larger scam operation, led by a Chinese mastermind who tricked both Chinese and Thai nationals into investing in fraudulent schemes. The two Chinese men arrested were responsible for managing a group of money mules who would withdraw funds and deliver them to the boss. The Thai woman, who had taken on her first task as a money mule to pay off her debts, was caught during the operation. Police are expanding their investigation to uncover the full scope of the criminal network involved. Gen Thatchai emphasised that with the rapid advancement of technology, online crime has become a significant threat to individuals and society. In particular, the issue of 'money mule' accounts has emerged as a key method for criminals to launder money and defraud the public. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive strategy and cooperation from all sectors. 'The key to combating online crime is intercepting it at the source,' Gen Thatchai said. 'This includes addressing the use of companies as channels for money laundering and the opening of money mule accounts, both by Thai citizens and foreigners, which are exploited in criminal activities.' The police have stepped up measures to control financial transactions, particularly those involving illegal cross-border withdrawals and transfers. Additionally, Gen Thatchai highlighted the importance of preventing Thai nationals from illegally crossing borders to work in foreign countries, which often leads them to become victims or accomplices in call centre scams. 'We must have clear processes in place to repatriate Thai nationals involved in such activities to ensure efficient and humane handling of these cases,' Gen Thatchai concluded. 'This will help expedite legal actions and ensure the process is conducted in accordance with human rights principles.' THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Yomiuri Shimbun
24-04-2025
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Thousands Allegedly Linked to Fraud Still Operating in Myanmar; 7,200 Foreigners Detained since Feb., Mostly Chinese
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo Myawaddy of eastern Myanmar BANGKOK — About 7,200 foreigners from over 20 countries who had stayed at a base in Myanmar have been handed over to Thai authorities since February in connection with fraud cases. However, police are continuing their investigation as allegedly there are thousands of foreigners remaining in Myanmar, with the crimes still being perpetrated at neighboring locations. According to the Thai police, China had the most nationals handed over with 5,400, followed by 650 Indonesians and 580 Indians and some Japanese nationals. The Border Guard Force, an armed group effectively in control of the area where the base is located, is said to be one of the groups apprehending these foreigners before handing them over to Thai authorities. Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Center, said that several thousand foreigners, including Japanese, may at present be in eastern Myanmar, and that there are still some bases operating, at a press conference on Monday. Some traveled to the country after receiving fake job offers. Jay Kritiya, of the Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victims Assistance, said that some women are pregnant and others are complaining of poor health.
South China Morning Post
19-03-2025
- South China Morning Post
Up to 100,000 still work in Myanmar's scam hubs – and not all are victims, Thai police say
Despite a weeks-long multinational crackdown, scam centres along the Thai-Myanmar border are still operating with up to 100,000 people working there, according to the top police general leading Thailand 's operations against the fraud compounds. Advertisement Thailand is fronting a regional effort to dismantle scam centres along its borders, which are part of a Southeast Asian network of illegal facilities that generate billions of US dollars every year, often using people trafficked there by criminal gangs, according to the United Nations Based on early assessments of some of the 5,000 people pulled out of sprawling scam hubs in Myanmar 's Myawaddy area, hundreds went there voluntarily, said Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, calling for careful investigations among nationals of over a dozen countries to winnow out criminals. Thai Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, who leads Thailand's Anti-Human Trafficking Centre and Cyber Taskforce, reacts during an interview at police headquarters in Bangkok on Monday. Photo: Reuters 'Many people use Thailand as a pathway to sneak themselves into Myawaddy to find work, and this is not just the call centre gangs but also online gambling work and other professions,' Thatchai said in an interview. His comments run counter to widespread reports that scam centre workers in and around Myawaddy were victims, lured to go there by criminal bosses. Jason Tower, an analyst with the US Institute of Peace and an expert on regional scam centres, said that many people who willingly travelled to areas such as Myawaddy were trapped in conducting scamming operations. Advertisement 'Many did go in willingly, only discovering that they had been trafficked later,' he said. Several former scam workers describe being trapped in the compounds, where they were forced to trick strangers online into transferring large amounts of money, often pretending to be romantic interests.
Japan Times
18-03-2025
- Japan Times
Scam hubs on Thai-Myanmar border still have up to 100,000 people, Thai police says
Despite a weekslong multinational crackdown, scam centers along the Thai-Myanmar border are still operating with up to 100,000 people working there, the top police general leading Thailand's operations against the fraud compounds said. Thailand is fronting a regional effort to dismantle scam centers along its borders, which are part of a Southeast Asian network of illegal facilities that generate billions of dollars every year, often using people trafficked there by criminal gangs, according to the United Nations. Based on early assessments of some of the 5,000 people pulled out of sprawling scam hubs in Myanmar's Myawaddy area, hundreds went there voluntarily, said Police Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, calling for careful investigations among nationals of over a dozen countries to winnow out criminals. "Many people use Thailand as a pathway to sneak themselves into Myawaddy to find work, and this is not just the call center gangs but also online gambling work and other professions," Thatchai said in an interview. His comments run counter to widespread reports that scam center workers in and around Myawaddy were victims, lured to go there by criminal bosses. Jason Tower, an analyst with the U.S. Institute of Peace and an expert on regional scam centers, said that many people who willingly traveled to areas such as Myawaddy were trapped in conducting scamming operations. "Many did go in willingly, only discovering that they had been trafficked later," he said. Several former scam workers describe being trapped in the compounds, where they were forced to trick strangers online into transferring large amounts of money, often pretending to be romantic interests. Police Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelaboot | REUTERS Although these scam centers have operated for years, they came under renewed scrutiny following the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand in January, who was later rescued from Myawaddy. The incident sparked a social media firestorm in China, and Beijing dispatched officials to Thailand to coordinate operations targeted at breaking up scam hubs like Myawaddy and rescuing scores of its citizens, many of whom now have been flown home. "Since the Wang Xing case, there were 3,600 foreigners who traveled Mae Sot, and we did not find one who was tricked or coerced to come," Thatchai said, citing information gathered by police checkpoints set up in the Thai district bordering Myawaddy. Among some 260 people from 20 nationalities who were sent from Myawaddy to Thailand in February as the crackdown gathered steam, most were not coerced, according to initial investigations conducted by Thai authorities, Thatchai said. "These people went there voluntarily," Thatchai said, adding that he is waiting on information from countries including China and India that have repatriated hundreds of their nationals on whether they had been trafficked to scam centers in Myawaddy. Thatchai said the crackdown so far has only affected a fraction of the vast operations in Myawaddy, which lies across a narrow river from the Thai town of Mae Sot. "It could be up to 50,000 or 100,000 people that are still left because we are still seeing their operations," he said, based on Thai police intelligence as well as information gathered by Chinese authorities, who have identified at least 3,700 criminals continuing to operate in the area. Since February, more than 5,200 people have been extricated from scamming facilities in and around Myawaddy, according to Thai police citing Myanmar authorities. Over 3,500 have been sent back to their home countries via Thailand, which has also cut off electricity, internet and fuel supplies to the area. With scam workers hailing from a wide range of countries, Thatchai said he is pushing for a multinational coordination center to repatriate, investigate and share information to prosecute criminals involved in the fraud operations. Suspected criminals extricated from Myawaddy and other scam hubs should be prosecuted in their home countries, and the Thai police are ready to help wherever necessary, Thatchai said. The main focus of Thai authorities currently is to help coordinate the return of scam center victims to their home countries, with thousands of former workers still stuck in limbo on the Thai-Myanmar border, including some who are struggling to find their way back because of a lack of funds. "We have to discharge people as quickly as possible," Thatchai said. "So that the Myanmar authorities and ethnic armed groups can conduct more crackdowns."
