Bangkok: Metropolitan Police raided and arrested two leading figures of a Chinese call center gang, responsible for creating fraudulent online profiles posing as police agencies and the Anti-Money Laundering Office. These fake profiles were used to deceive victims into believing that they could trace their stolen property. During the raid, a substantial number of fake SIM cards and QR codes were discovered.
According to Thai News Agency, the arrests took place in a renowned village located in the Senanikom area. The suspects had been operating fake online pages that impersonated government agencies, tricking victims into thinking they could recover stolen assets. The investigation revealed assets worth over 15 million baht, including luxury vehicles, cash, high-end watches, cigars, mobile phones, gold necklaces, and other branded items. Details of the operation are to be disclosed by police officials at a press briefing scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
The raid, conducted at 6:00 a.m. by the Metropolitan Police Bureau, led to the arrest of the two Chinese nationals in a residence on Soi Phahonyothin 32, Chan Kasem Subdistrict, Chatuchak District. The suspects utilized fraudulent tactics, creating a fake page with the keyword 'Track back stolen assets' to attract victims. The raid resulted in the confiscation of assets exceeding 15 million baht, comprising luxury goods and substantial cash amounts.
The operation was personally supervised by Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, alongside Pol. Maj. Gen. Wasan Techa-akrakasem and Pol. Maj. Gen. Thiradej Thamsuthee. The officials from the Technology Crime Suppression Unit and Metropolitan Police Detectives were also present at the scene.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam divulged that the investigation began in July 2024, following a report from a victim at Huamark Police Station. The victim had been scammed through a Facebook page that falsely claimed to assist in reporting call center scams. She was defrauded of over a million baht. Subsequent investigations by the Huamark Police and Metropolitan Police Bureau led to the identification of the two Chinese suspects as the masterminds.
The police collected sufficient evidence to secure arrest warrants for Mr. Lee and Mr. Yi, accused of promoting the sale or rental of bank accounts and mobile numbers for criminal activities. Both suspects were integral leaders of an international call center network, operating from a luxury rented house in Soi Phahonyothin 32. The residence served as a safe house, despite its high rental cost of over 100,000 baht per month.
The police seized a variety of evidence, including over 400,000 baht in cash, luxury goods valued at more than 4 million baht, luxury vehicles worth 11 million baht, and seven mobile phones. The phones contained images of QR codes, SIM boxes, and unactivated SIM cards, which will be further analyzed to uncover links to other gang members and victims.
The suspects have yet to cooperate with the authorities, who plan to charge them at Huamark Police Station, where the initial complaint was lodged. Further investigations will focus on money laundering and identifying additional members of the call center network, believed to be based in a neighboring country's high-rise building.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Sayam emphasized that the seized assets will be processed legally to compensate victims. The national police chief has mandated thorough investigations into foreigners conducting business in Thailand to identify any involvement in illegal activities. The public is urged to report suspicious activities of foreigners living lavishly or engaging in illicit enterprises.
Authorities caution against trusting online complaint pages promising recovery of stolen funds, especially those using images of senior police officers to gain credibility. The public is encouraged to report directly to police stations or official channels, and those involved with call center gangs in neighboring countries are urged to cooperate with the police.