A 21-year-old former TikTok star known as Ploy was arrested while attempting to cross back into Thailand, unveiling a troubling narrative tied to online scams and financial woes.
The arrest took place in Sa Kaeo Province, close to the Cambodian border, on Saturday. Ploy’s capture provided police with valuable insights into the increasing problem of call centers in Cambodia that target Thai citizens. Her troubles reportedly began with an addiction to online gambling, which left her deeply in debt.
Authorities apprehended Ploy after Immigration Bureau officers stopped her while she crossed the border. She was wanted under an arrest warrant from Min Buri Criminal Court issued on September 10, stemming from a July break-in at her boyfriend’s home, where she stole goods valued at ฿60,000. Notably, her boyfriend was involved in illegal call center operations in Cambodia.
On September 21, the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Crime Suppression Division arrested Ploy. Lieutenant Colonel Thanpirasit Chulphiphob, known as Inspector Jae, led the elite team responsible for her capture.
The arrest stemmed from Ploy’s earlier theft charges, which drew considerable media attention after the incident in July. By the time a warrant was issued, Ploy had disappeared, prompting a manhunt that culminated in her arrest.
During questioning, Ploy confessed that financial difficulties pushed her to commit theft. She recounted how her addiction to online slot machines led her to steal from her boyfriend, as she was unable to borrow money from him.
To alleviate her financial burdens, Ploy turned to a TikTok account advertising job opportunities in a call center scam, which promised a lucrative monthly salary of ฿25,000 plus bonuses for successful fraud. This led her to join a Cambodian call center gang, where she participated in creating fake social media profiles to lure victims into scams, including fraudulent product promotions and investment schemes.
Ploy’s confession shed light on the inner workings of call center scams in Cambodia, revealing her role in deceiving multiple victims. Despite her involvement in criminal activities, she later faced pressure from her boss to become his mistress, a proposition she declined.
After being dismissed from one gang, Ploy joined another, focusing on fake investment schemes that exploited victims for their money. However, as police investigations intensified, she was warned of her impending arrest and was eventually caught while heading to work.
Reflecting on her descent into crime, Ploy admitted she never anticipated her life would spiral out of control. Initially seeking to repay her debts, she became ensnared in a perilous lifestyle driven by her gambling addiction.
This case underscores the alarming trend of call center scams proliferating in Thailand and surrounding regions, often exploiting vulnerable individuals. As authorities intensify their crackdown on such criminal enterprises, Ploy’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of online fraud and gambling addiction.
Following her arrest, Ploy was taken to Nimit Mai Police Station for legal proceedings related to the July theft, while investigations into the broader network of call center scams continue based on the information obtained from her.