Poipet: Cambodian police cooperate with Thai police to raid a call center gang in a high-rise building on the Poipet side, rescuing 227 victims, while Sa Kaeo police ordered the closure of an illegal resort that provided shelter to mule accounts.
According to Thai News Agency, Thai and Cambodian police officers raided a four-story blue building in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia to rescue 227 victims, consisting of 60 women and 65 men, as well as 3 Indonesians, 48 Indians, and 51 Pakistanis. Thai police officers coordinated with Cambodian officials to help suppress the call center gang, which is a major threat and is currently spreading. After the raid, Thai officers attended a meeting with Cambodian police, who provided cooperation. The operation was triggered by coordination from victims who secretly sent messages and video clips asking for help, leading to the discovery of the gang's hideout and subsequent arrests.
After assisting the victims, Cambodian officials will screen them before sending them to Thailand via the permanent border crossing at Ban Klong Luek on the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge within the next 1-2 days. Thai police will receive the victims and transport them to the screening center in Sa Kaeo Province. The screening process will determine how they entered or exited, and whether they were deceived into becoming victims or voluntarily participated. Those found to have voluntarily committed the crime will face legal prosecution, while those tricked will be sent back to their home provinces.
Today, the Sa Kaeo Provincial Police, Khlong Luek Police Station, along with the Investigation Police Region 2, the Investigation Unit of the Sa Kaeo Immigration Bureau, and the Aranyaprathet District Chief inspected a resort on Km. 3 Road, Aranyaprathet Subdistrict, Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province. They arrested Ms. Arunnee, 55, on the charge of 'opening a hotel without permission.' The resort was identified as a shelter for individuals opening mule accounts to travel to Cambodia to participate in fraudulent activities.
During the inspection, Ms. Arunee, the resort manager, failed to produce a hotel operating license. She claimed ignorance of the illegal activities conducted by some guests. However, police investigations revealed that the resort was owned by Mr. Bandit and managed by Ms. Arunnee. Mr. Bandit provided a mobile phone used for customer communication and transactions linked to the mule accounts. Additional evidence, including receipts for foreign guests who were not reported to immigration authorities, was found. The individuals and evidence were taken to Khlong Luek Police Station for further legal action.