Bangkok: A transnational money laundering network linked to a foreign call center gang has been dismantled. The network utilized Thai money mules and digital currencies to circulate millions of baht daily, causing total losses to exceed 100 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Wattana Yijin, Commander of Provincial Police Region 1, announced the crackdown on this complex and rapidly evolving technological crime network. The investigation revealed a group involved in procuring mule accounts and laundering money for international criminal gangs, including call center operations. The network, led by a Chinese national, employed a Thai woman to recruit individuals to receive fraudulent transfers. The laundered funds were converted into cryptocurrency and sent back to the Chinese leader, with the involved parties receiving a percentage of the withdrawals as compensation. The operation culminated in the observation, tracking, and arrest of the suspects.
Eight individuals were arrested, each charged with various offenses based on their activities. These included being part of a secret society, colluding with five or more people to commit banditry, and engaging in activities related to the illegal trade of electronic card deposit accounts and money laundering.
The operation led to the confiscation of 846,800 baht in cash, 13 bank accounts, 14 cash cards, 18 mobile phones, 23 SIM cards, and a banknote-counting machine. It was discovered that the group’s facial scanning base was moved from Cambodia to Thailand in August 2018 due to border disputes. They managed to deliver approximately 1-2 million baht per day to Chinese investors, earning a four percent commission on withdrawals. The network facilitated digital currency transactions for Chinese investors by converting cash into digital currency and transferring it back. Authorities plan to return the seized funds to victims under the “Money Back” program.