Cyber Police Crack Down on Call Centre Scamming Ring Operated from Cambodian Casino

Authorities in Thailand have successfully arrested two individuals posing as officers to deceive victims into transferring large sums of money in an extensive call centre scam. The operation, which was uncovered in Chiang Mai and Phuket, involved perpetrators using attractive profiles to build trust with victims, eventually convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency. The scam resulted in 147 payments, amounting to approximately 308 million baht.

Key Takeaways:

• The Cyber Police investigation led to the arrest of two suspects involved in a hybrid scam, where victims reported being deceived online.
• The scam involved perpetrators using attractive profile pictures to build trust with victims, convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency.
• Victims were duped into making 147 payments, which were later found to be transferred into 79 mule accounts, amounting to approximately 308 million baht.
• The investigation uncovered evidence linking the suspects to a Chinese-run call centre gang based in the Phuri Casino in Poipet, Cambodia.
• The gang operated by posing as government officials to intimidate victims, pressuring them to transfer money to prove their innocence in criminal cases.
• The operation was organised into four distinct roles: Line 1: Contacted victims; Line 2: Followed up with victims; Line 3: Posed as a Colonel to convince victims they were involved in serious legal matters; Support roles: Facilitated the creation of fake official documents and managed the mule accounts for financial transfers.
• The suspects confessed to their involvement in the call centre scam, explaining that they had joined the organisation after being deceived and promised a commission and monthly salary.
• The suspects are facing charges of participating in a criminal syndicate, organised crime group, being involved in organised crime, fraudulently impersonating others to deceive the public, computer crime, and money laundering.

Statistics:

• 91 victims were duped into making 147 payments amounting to approximately 308 million baht.
• 79 mule accounts were used to receive the transferred funds.
• 46 arrests have been made so far in connection with the scam.
• 76 individuals have been linked to the scam, with warrants obtained for suspects involved.
• The suspects were promised a 3.5% commission and a monthly salary of 25,000 baht for their role in deceiving victims.

Sources:

• BCU Cyber Crime Investigation Division (July 2025)
• Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau
• Anti-Trafficking Police Division
• Phuri Casino, Poipet, Cambodia
• Poi Pret (ghost release) Company