Eight busted in B55m call-centre scam losses

Suspected financial hub near border allegedly linked to Cambodian army colonel and family

Police have arrested eight suspects linked to a cross‑border money‑laundering operation that helped call‑centre scam gangs swindle more than 400 victims in Thailand of around 55 million baht.

Six men and two women were detained on Monday in coordinated raids in Bangkok and across six provinces, including Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Nong Khai, Chon Buri, Roi Et and Pathum Thani, following an investigation by the Anti‑Cyber Scam Centre (ACSC) under the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai, CIB commander, said the group, all Thai nationals, were hired to open mule bank accounts used by call‑centre gangs operating near the Cambodian border in Nong Chan village, Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo.

All eight are wanted under Criminal Court warrants on charges including involvement in a transnational criminal organisation, conspiracy, operating a criminal gang, money‑laundering and procuring bank accounts for technology‑related offences.

Investigators said the accounts were linked to a fenced warehouse complex believed to be owned by a Cambodian army colonel and his family. The premises were allegedly rented to Chinese and Thai groups and used as a financial hub for scam syndicates.

Police found 195 mule accounts linked to the site that were active between August and October last year. The accounts were used in various scam schemes, including fake investment offers, prize redemption fraud and intimidation, causing losses estimated at 55 million baht.

ACSC director Pol Gen Thana Chuwong said the investigation also uncovered a trafficking operation in which Thai nationals were lured by fake job offers, smuggled across the border and confined at the warehouse in Nong Chan to operate the mule accounts. Once the accounts were frozen, they were either returned to Thailand or sold on to other scam centres in neighbouring countries.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 15 suspects in total, including four alleged ringleaders — a Cambodian military officer, two of his relatives and one Thai national — together with seven administrators and four people‑smugglers.

With eight suspects already in custody, police said they continue to pursue the remaining seven.