Twelve members of a Thai call centre scam gang, including their leader, have been arrested at their base in Cambodia, the Royal Thai Police’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) announced on Saturday.
“Hang Up” Operation Details
The operation, nicknamed “Hang Up,” was a joint effort between the CCIB Division 2 and Cambodian police, leading to the arrest of suspects aged 21 to 35, including the gang leader identified as Pathipan, also known as A-Ching, aged 21. The arrests took place in O Smach City near the Thai-Cambodian border in Oddar Meanchey province.
Three other gang members remain at large, with the CCIB continuing to pursue them.
Fraudulent Scheme and Victim Impact
The investigation began after a victim reported being scammed, losing 2.37 million baht in multiple transfers to the gang. The gang, who primarily targeted retirees, made an estimated 1 billion baht per year through elaborate scams.
The fraudsters posed as bankers, police officers, and advisers, tricking victims into believing they were involved in money laundering through an unresolved credit card debt. The scam involved multiple stages of calls, with scammers directing victims to transfer money to “investigate” the issue.
Exploitation of Workers
The operation also revealed that several Thai nationals were tricked into working for the gang. Four victims were rescued prior to the arrests, and all 12 suspects admitted to their involvement in the fraud scheme under Pathipan’s leadership. Workers who failed to meet the target of 20 million baht a week were reportedly subjected to physical punishments, including electric shocks.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation is still ongoing as police hunt down the remaining fugitives and continue to dismantle the fraudulent network. The CCIB emphasized their commitment to ensuring justice for the victims.
