Bangkok, Thailand – In a significant crackdown on a notorious call centre scam operation, the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) arrested two key suspects: Lin Chuangqin, a 33-year-old Chinese national, and Teeraphat Uttaraphiromsuk, a 68-year-old Thai man. The operation, named “Thieves’ Bridge Explosion,” resulted in the seizure of over 18,000 items of evidence linked to the scam.
Details of the Operation
On October 9, CSD officers held a press conference to provide details of their operation, which targeted four clandestine locations across Bangkok, including two houses and two condominium units in the Bang Kapi district. The suspects were apprehended at a two-storey house located in Soi Happy Land Townhouse.
Seized Evidence
The scale of the operation was unprecedented, with a vast array of tools used for the scam confiscated, including:
- First Location: 28 SIM boxes and 10,000 SIM cards.
- Second Location: 20 SIM boxes and 2,000 SIM cards.
- Third Location: 5 SIM boxes, 370 mobile phones, and 6,000 SIM cards.
- Fourth Location: 39 SIM boxes, 103 mobile phones, 20 SIM cards, various related documents, and cash in Chinese yuan.
Impact of the Arrests
Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Thatchai Pitaneerabut, stated that this operation has significantly disrupted the cycle of the call centre gang. The organization reportedly established its headquarters in Bangkok, using Thai SIM cards to avoid detection, as Thai residents were less likely to answer calls from international numbers.
Teeraphat, who admitted to having previously worked as a SIM card vendor, disclosed that he had registered over 10,000 scam SIM cards in his name, earning between 50,000 to 60,000 baht monthly from the operation.
Lin revealed that he managed the phone and SIM card systems for the gang in Thailand and was compensated in cryptocurrency. He entered Thailand under a visa-free policy but overstayed by 37 days prior to his arrest. Lin also mentioned that the gang’s major leader was another Chinese national whose identity remained unknown to him.
Criminal History
Teeraphat has a criminal history, having been arrested in 2005 for collaborating with a hacker, causing a 105 million baht loss to True Corporation by accessing prepaid card accounts with specific passwords.
In light of this operation, the RTP plans to engage with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission regarding the registration of SIM cards to prevent their illegal usage in future scams.
Authorities continue to investigate this extensive network, aiming to hold all those involved accountable and protect potential victims from similar fraudulent activities.
