2-9-2023 (CHON BURI) In a recent crackdown operation, authorities have apprehended a group of 16 Chinese nationals suspected of operating a phone scam gang. The arrests took place on Saturday during a meticulously executed police raid conducted at four residences nestled within a compound in the Bang Lamung district, situated on the eastern fringes of Pattaya City.
Adding a curious twist to the unfolding saga, a Thai housemaid responsible for tending to the properties in tambon Nong Prue also found herself subject to questioning.
The operation unfolded as investigators hailing from Provincial Police Region 2, in conjunction with their counterparts from the Chon Buri police force, initiated a search of the aforementioned quartet of houses precisely at 9 a.m. on a crisp Saturday morning. Their mission was spurred by a tip-off received earlier, alleging that the occupants of these properties were none other than Chinese phone scammers who had discreetly leased the premises for a period exceeding three months.
The four houses in question happened to share the confines of a securely fenced compound. As the dedicated police unit made their way inside, they were greeted by a startling sight – a total of 12 Chinese men and four women were discovered residing within the four walls, alongside a Thai housekeeper.
The Thai woman, identified only as Nee, offered her account of the situation to the authorities. She disclosed that her role in the operation involved tending to various domestic chores, all in exchange for a monthly stipend of 7,000 baht. Her knowledge about the Chinese tenants was limited, with her main insight being that they received monthly remunerations of 10,000 yuan, equivalent to 48,600 baht.
In the course of the operation, the police also seized a trove of critical evidence, including computers, a multitude of mobile phones, and a securely locked safe. Intriguingly, a brand-new Toyota Alphard was conspicuously parked within the compound. All 17 individuals apprehended during the raid were promptly taken into police custody, where they would undergo further questioning and face impending legal action.
