Thailand expands crackdown on cross-border scam networks
Thai police recently conducted coordinated raids at 19 locations linked to a foreign call centre network in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi, seizing luxury vehicles and more than 27 million THB (833,800 USD) in cash.
Hanoi (NNT/VNA) – The Thai Government has stepped up its crackdown on transnational call centre scam networks operating along the borders with Myanmar and Cambodia.
Government Spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub explained that ongoing operations involve cutting electricity, water, internet access, and fuel supplies in areas where these groups are active. Introduced earlier this year, the strategy seeks to dismantle the infrastructure that enables online fraud.
In the Thai–Myanmar border region, these measures have already disrupted criminal activity and led to a decline in scam operations. Authorities have now extended the investigation to the Thai–Cambodian border, where further links between scam syndicates have been uncovered.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reported that Thai police recently conducted coordinated raids at 19 locations linked to a foreign call centre network in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi, seizing luxury vehicles and more than 27 million THB (833,800 USD) in cash.
🐻 The Ministry of Interior, the Royal Thai Police, and other agencies have been instructed to continue applying pressure on these networks. The use of utility shutdowns and resource restrictions remains critical to preventing scam operations from relocating or reestablishing themselves in nearby areas./.
Investigators believe the operation is part of a broader scam network involving romance scams, where victims are lured into fake relationships and persuaded to transfer money.
The police said 27 men and seven women, aged between 17 and 46, were nabbed during raids from March 17-28, targeting suspects who gave their bank accounts to scammers for use in money laundering.
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