Bangkok: The Minister of Justice and the police have jointly announced the successful arrest of an extensive online gambling network and associated mule accounts, following investigative leads related to a 40 million baht bribe involving “Chaiyachanok”.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruttapol Naowarat, Minister of Justice; Mr. Patchara Anantasilpa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society; Ms. Suchada Tansap, Secretary to the Minister of Digital Economy and Society; Pol. Lt. Col. Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation; Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwpaen, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and Deputy Director of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD); and Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembut, Commissioner-General of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), conducted a press conference to detail the operation. The operation targeted an online gambling website, leading to significant arrests.
The Minister of Justice highlighted that the crackdown was initiated via a tip-off from Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society. The Ministry of Justice, through the Department of Special Investigation, and the Royal Thai Police, under the Technology Crime Suppression Division, collaborated on a covert investigation resulting in the apprehension of individuals operating across various regions in Thailand. Initial findings suggest connections to international networks, involving both Thai and foreign nationals. The operation, conducted by the DSI and Cyber Police, dismantled several large networks with a collective annual turnover exceeding 17.2 billion baht, arresting 52 suspects in total.
Details of the operation involved the DSI capturing a network with turnover exceeding 2 billion baht and detaining three suspects with outstanding warrants. Simultaneously, the Technology Crime Suppression Division arrested 49 suspects, linked to a network with an annual turnover exceeding 15.2 billion baht. The operation covered multiple networks, including one with a turnover of over 14.4 billion baht, leading to 15 arrests across 11 locations in Chiang Mai, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Chonburi.
Further investigations targeted Network 2, generating over 600 million baht annually, resulting in eight arrests across four locations in Bangkok and other provinces. Network 3, with a yearly turnover of over 120 million baht, led to the arrest of three suspects in Chiang Rai province. Network 4, with over 70 million baht turnover per annum, saw the arrest of two suspects, while Network 5, involved in channeling funds to gambling website owners, resulted in two arrests at a single location. Network 6 investigations led to 16 arrests on related charges.
Regarding the potential connection between the arrests and the 40 million baht bribe offered by Mr. Chaichanok to delay crackdowns on call center scammers and online gambling, Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthaphon indicated that the Crime Suppression Division is probing this angle. Though some links between the money and the bribe have emerged, the investigation continues, and details remain confidential. The Crime Suppression Division is determining if Mr. Chaichanok has lodged a formal police report.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapol Prembut, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, emphasized that the arrests mark the beginning of an expansive investigation. Initial arrests were informed by tip-offs, targeting individuals responsible for fund withdrawals and scam beneficiaries. This groundwork aims to trace websites implicated in the 40 million baht bribe. He noted that these networks are part of a broader scheme requiring further investigation to uncover deeper connections.