Bangkok: A spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) has reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling call center networks operating in Cambodia.
According to Thai News Agency, the TCSD had already identified 62 operational bases and shared this information with Cambodian authorities, yet no significant progress has been reported.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwpaen, Deputy Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police and spokesman for the TCSD, disclosed these efforts following an urgent meeting led by the National Police Chief. The meeting was convened to execute the Prime Minister’s directive to enhance international coordination and seize assets worth over 70 million baht from a major scam network.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong explained that the Royal Thai Police have bolstered their operations, collaborating with banks to curtail financial activities linked to the call center gangs. The center has successfully intercepted over 40% of outbound money flows associated with these networks.
Despite the Thai police’s comprehensive actions, their approach contrasts with that of South Korean authorities, who managed to repatriate their citizens swiftly. Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong emphasized that Thai law enforcement had previously undertaken similar efforts, citing a 2014 collaboration with Cambodian police on what was known as the Phuri Casino case. During this operation, over 160 arrest warrants were issued for both Thai and Cambodian offenders.
The cooperation with Cambodian authorities has been inconsistent, as highlighted by a postponed joint operation to arrest scammers. Thai police were eventually asked to return home without achieving their objectives. Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong stressed the importance of Cambodia’s cooperation, akin to their collaboration with South Korea.
In response to the ongoing challenges, the Prime Minister has tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with enhancing strategies against scammer gangs. This includes working with international law enforcement and aid agencies to support victims and pressure countries harboring these gangs.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has progressed in seizing assets from a dual-nationality call center gang network, including those linked to Oknya Ly Yongphat, a Cambodian Chinese and Thai-Koh Kong businessman. Approximately 70 million baht in assets were confiscated in Thailand, and if further violations are confirmed, her Thai citizenship may be revoked.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong also addressed reports of call center gang members fleeing into Thailand with South Korean workers. However, investigations have yet to uncover evidence of any illegal South Korean entries into Thailand.