19-5-2024 (PHNOM PENH) Twelve members of a notorious Thai call centre scam gang, including their leader, were apprehended at their base in Cambodia, according to an announcement by the Royal Thai Police’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) on Saturday.
Pol Lt Gen Worawat Watnakornbancha, the CCIB commissioner, reported that the joint operation between CCIB Division 2 and Cambodian police led to the arrests. The Criminal Court had issued arrest warrants for all 15 individuals involved in the scam.
The operation, dubbed “Hang Up,” resulted in the capture of twelve suspects aged between 21 and 35. The leader, identified as 21-year-old Pathipan, also known as A-Ching, was among those detained at their hideout in O Smach City, located in Oddar Meanchey province, near the border with Thailand’s Surin province.
Three gang members managed to evade arrest and are currently being pursued, Pol Lt Gen Worawat added.
The investigation was launched after a victim reported being defrauded by the gang. This victim had transferred money multiple times, ultimately losing 2.37 million baht in savings, Pol Lt Gen Worawat disclosed.
Further inquiries revealed that the gang’s fraudulent activities generated at least 1 billion baht annually, primarily targeting retirees.
The scam involved a sophisticated operation where members impersonated bankers, police officers, and advisers. The initial contact was made by someone posing as a banker from Tak province, accusing the victim of money laundering linked to an ambiguous credit card debt.
When victims denied these allegations, they were instructed to contact a supposed police officer in Tak, with a provided Line ID for easy communication. The fake officer would then demand money transfers for an investigation. If victims hesitated, additional calls would be made to assure them of the safety of the transfer.
Cambodian authorities noted that Thai nationals had lodged complaints with the Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh about being deceived into working as scam operators, Pol Lt Gen Worawat said.
Before the arrest operation, four victims who had been coerced into working for the gang were rescued.
All suspects confessed to their crimes, revealing that they were under the command of Mr. Pathipan. The gang leader reportedly subjected his team to physical punishment, including electric shocks, if they failed to generate 20 million baht weekly, Pol Lt Gen Worawat confirmed.
