Police in Bangkok have detained Minghong Tan, a 19-year-old Chinese national, in connection with an alleged call centre scam. The arrest took place during coordinated raids at two condominium rooms in the capital on Wednesday.
Officers from the Metropolitan and Immigration Police, acting on a warrant from the Criminal Court, conducted a search of a room at the Phana Place building in Ramkhamhaeng Soi 24/3, Hua Mak area, Bang Kapi district. There, they confiscated eight new-model SIM boxes, two internet routers, a switch hub, a CCTV camera, a power backup unit, and eight LAN cables, along with other related equipment.
The police then proceeded to another condominium at AT Ratcha in Din Daeng district, where they arrested Tan, who was identified as the suspect. Police allege that Tan was part of a gang involved in the scam and had rented both condominium rooms. One room housed the SIM boxes and other equipment, while the second served as an operations office. Lease contracts for 10 additional rooms were also discovered during the search.
Tan, who entered Thailand on a student visa, denied his involvement in the scam. He claimed to be merely a broker helping other Chinese nationals find and rent rooms, according to police reports.
Following initial questioning, Tan was charged with illegal possession and use of communication devices, setting up a communication radio station without permission, and violating radio frequency regulations. He was taken to Hua Mak police station for further investigation.
The arrest came after a victim in Ayutthaya filed a complaint with the AOC 1441 hotline, alleging they were tricked into transferring 10,600 baht to a bank account by a person posing as a police officer from Buri Ram province. Investigators linked the gang to an operations base in the Hua Mak area, prompting Wednesday’s raids.
