Thai cops seize assets worth RM46.6 million crackdown against illegal online gambling

BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Bureau police announced another milestone in the crackdown on five major illegal online gambling networks on Friday, seizing assets worth more than 360 million baht (RM46.6 million).

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society is collaborating with the police bureau to combat all forms of cybercrime, including online gambling, under the “Final Bet” operation.

Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong told a joint press conference that the operation was conducted in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s concerns about dealing with cybercrime and strictly cracking down on online thieves and illegal gambling websites, particularly during the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.

Twenty-nine suspects were apprehended, including 11 people with arrest warrants (two owners, six financial officers and administrators, and three employees). Of the 29, the majority of the suspects (18 people) were arrested after agreeing to open “mule” bank accounts for the racket.

The suspects were charged with three crimes: Organised gambling and unauthorised electronic property theft; money laundering with the agreement of two or more people; and, money laundering offence.

According to the report, these five major illegal online gambling networks have over 30,000 registered members, with a total monthly transaction volume of over 60 million baht.

Meanwhile, the arrest triggered coordinated raids on 10 target locations in Songkhla and Nan provinces, resulting in the seizure of cash, spot gold, jewellery, luxury cars, and other assets worth a total of over 360 million baht.

Prasert pledged to continue cybercrime suppression operations with the Technology Crime Suppression Bureau police. The collaboration resulted in the formation of a special team that is using artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to track those illegal online networks and extend the results of arresting wrongdoers to the entire movement, thereby breaking the vicious cycle of these online criminal networks.

He warned people not to engage in any online gambling because it not only results in financial loss but also exposes the gamblers to fraudsters or call-centre gangs. Gambling may also cause personal information to be leaked during the registration process on an online gambling website, he cautioned. – The Nation Thailand/ANN