Bangkok: A South Korean call center gang that had been scamming their compatriots was dismantled in a recent police operation in Bang Phli, Bangkok. The gang, which had previously operated in Cambodia, relocated to Thailand two months ago, where they continued their illicit activities using the Kakao app to target victims in South Korea.
According to Thai News Agency, the operation, named "Thailand Korea Breaking Chairs Ep. 3," was a collaborative effort between the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Thai police and South Korean authorities. The raid was announced by Pol. Lt. Gen. Nattasak Chaowanasai and Mr. Dohun Kim, focusing on a luxury house in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan province, which served as the gang's base of operations.
Pol. Lt. Col. Ekaphon Saengarun, Deputy Commander of Division 1, Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, reported that the raid resulted in the arrest of 13 suspects, including one Chinese national and 12 South Koreans. Authorities seized 51 devices, including Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones and computer equipment, along with 20 mobile phones. Scripts and other incriminating documents used in the scams were also recovered.
The gang's method involved initially contacting victims via the Kakao app and then making internet calls to convince them of having a criminal record. The investigation revealed that the group frequently relocated every six months to avoid detection, with a Chinese national identified as the gang leader.
Since 2025, the Central Investigation Bureau, in cooperation with the Consular Section of the Korean Embassy in Thailand, has been working on this case, which culminated in the arrest of all 41 individuals involved.