(21/08/23) Blog 233 – Thai cyber police seize ฿1.5 Billion

A series of raids across Thailand by the Thai cyber police has led to a number of arrests, the dismantling of a fraudulent call centre, the closure of a scam crypto fund, and the seizure of a large haul of illicit goods.

The operation, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Worawat Watnakornbancha, commissioner of the bureau, targeted two cyber crime networks operating in three provinces of the South East Asian country.

A search for 3 luxury condominiums in the central area of Asoke-Rama 9, which is in the South of the country led to the arrest of Nang Moe Moe Aye, a 24-year-old Burmese national, who is suspected of having links to the operator of the call centre at the heart of the operation.

The call center scammer is accused of orchestrating scams under the guise of a city supervisor in the province of Tak. The scammer is accused of various crimes, including impersonating another person, impersonating a government official, entering data into a computer system and conspiracy to launder money.

Miss Nang Moe Moe Aye is responsible for withdrawing 15 million baht, from the account belonging to the scammer.

During the arrest, law enforcement authorities seized 4,444,000 Thai baht in cash, 17 bank account books, 2 brand name bags, and 16 ATM cards.

A second operation in the Chonburi province, saw the arrest of two suspects, and the seizure of a number of luxury vehicles including a Rolls-Royce, a Mercedez Benz, and a Lexus.

The two suspects, both Chinese nationals, were arrested on charges of jointly defrauding the public and jointly laundering money.

The scammers used fake profiles to connect with victims through various social media channels, before inviting investments in fake platforms to trade with digital currency and causing more than 10 billion baht in damages worldwide

The pair are also charged with opening a money laundering company using a fake profile.