A significant breakthrough in the battle against call centre scams in Thailand occurred with the arrest of a Chinese teenager in Bangkok. Police conducted police raids on two locations, which led to the capture of the 19 year old Chinese national suspected of involvement in a sophisticated scam operation.
Metropolitan and immigration police, armed with a warrant from the Criminal Court, searched a room at the Phana Place building in the Hua Mak area of Bang Kapi district. During the raid, officers seized eight new-model SIM boxes, two internet routers, a switch hub, a closed-circuit television camera, a power backup, eight LAN cables, and various other items.
A subsequent search at Ratchada Condominium in Din Daeng district uncovered further evidence linking the teenager to the scam. The teen, Minghong Tan, was found and arrested, with police alleging his involvement in a call centre operation.
Police revealed that Tan had rented both rooms, using one for storing SIM boxes and equipment, and the other as an operational hub. Officers also discovered lease contracts for 10 additional rooms, indicating a larger-scale operation.
Tan had entered Thailand on a student visa, police stated.
Police Major General Theeradej Thamsuthee, leading the investigation at the Metropolitan Police Bureau, noted that although Tan denied any involvement, claiming to merely act as a broker for other Chinese nationals, initial charges were still filed against him. These charges include illegally possessing or bringing communication devices into Thailand, setting up a communication radio station without permission, and illegal use of radio frequencies.
The suspect has been taken to Hua Mak Police Station for further questioning and legal proceedings. This arrest followed a complaint from a scam victim in Ayutthaya, who reported being tricked into transferring 10,600 baht by someone posing as a police officer from Buriram province.
The investigation revealed that the scam gang operated from the Hua Mak area, prompting the recent raids. Police continue their investigation to dismantle the network and prevent future scams, reported Bangkok Post.
The story Chinese teen arrested in Bangkok for call centre scam as seen on Thaiger News.
