Bangkok: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is cracking down on all forms of online crime. Operation “DEV Shutdown” was launched to disrupt the inwiptv copyright infringement website network, linked to online gambling websites, causing hundreds of millions of baht in damages.
According to Thai News Agency, the DSI is advancing its policy, which aims to prevent and suppress online crimes, copyright infringement on digital media, illegal gambling websites, money laundering, and all forms of crimes that threaten national security. The Department will pursue legal action and seize assets to the fullest extent of the law to create a transparent, safe, and just digital society, in line with the national security strategy and for the greatest benefit of the people.
On Sunday, September 21, 2015, Pol. Lt. Col. Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and Pol. Lt. Col. Chatuphol Bongkotmas, Deputy Director-General of the DSI, assigned Pol. Lt. Col. Khemchat Prakaihongmanee, Director of the Technology and Information Crime Division, to lead a team of over 40 officers from the Technology and Information Crime Division and Special Operations Division officers, along with the Institute of Forensic Science, to search four target locations for Premier League football broadcasts in Nonthaburi Province and two locations in Bangkok, pursuant to a search warrant from the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court. Key items seized included host computers, True Visions decoder boxes, satellite dishes, laptop computers, hard drives, and numerous mobile phones. One of the targets was a large warehouse, over 5 rai in Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, which was being used as a center for intercepting and converting Premi
er League football broadcasts to the inwiptv website. It also housed the offices and administrative teams of several online gambling websites. Network signals from other operators were also found. Those who are additional victims include MONO, Netflix, Channel 3, and other companies.
This case stemmed from a complaint filed by True Visions Group Co., Ltd. and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA). The website inwiptv was found to be illegally intercepting and decoding Premier League football broadcasts and Warner Bros. Entertainment Co., Ltd.’s films. The website, with over 100,000 members, generates over 200 million baht in annual revenue and is directly linked to a major online gambling network, generating over 1 billion baht in annual revenue. This led to the approval of Special Case No. 80/2568. The investigation also revealed ties to the “Thep IPTV” and “FW Esports” businesses, using the warehouse as a primary base of operations. They established a multi-tiered membership system, offering daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly subscriptions for television programs, movies, pornographic media, and, crucially, online gambling banners, including baccarat, sic bo, roulette, and sports betting. This systematic approach lures viewers into gambling. Authorities seized additional evide
nce from the online gambling website’s admin team, including host computers, mobile phones, and mule accounts, which were used to circulate large sums of money to conceal their origins.
Copyright infringement not only harms creators and the national economy, but also serves as a major conduit for cybercrime, particularly online gambling networks that embed ads on pirated websites. If the proceeds of this crime circulate through various accounts, it could constitute money laundering, which carries severe penalties under the law.
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced the intellectual property protection status of major trading partners under Special Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act for 2025. Eighteen countries are on the WL: Thailand, Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. Countries on the PWL: China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Venezuela. The announcement of intellectual property protection status is important because it is a factor the U.S. government uses in trade negotiations with trading partners. As can be seen, Thailand has maintained its status on the Watch List (WL) for the eighth consecutive year since 2017, after having been on the Priority Watch List (PWL) since 2007. Although Thailand expects to be removed from the WL this year, the report states that last year, Thailand has made progress in developing its intellectual property protection and en
forcement system, including stricter law enforcement, which has clearly resulted in satisfaction for rights owners. However, the problem of intellectual property infringement remains widespread.