THAILAND: Authorities in Thailand have apprehended an individual and confiscated a large number of electronic devices associated with a cross-border call centre scam operation. The arrest occurred in the Mae Ramat district of Tak province, which is notorious for various illegal activities due to its proximity to the Thai-Myanmar border.
According to a report by the Bangkok Post, the arrest resulted from a collaborative effort involving soldiers from the Ratchamanu Task Force, border patrol police, and local administrative officials. They stopped a suspicious vehicle that was transporting mobile phones, SIM cards, and computers.
During a routine checkpoint on Saturday, officials inspected a Toyota pickup truck in Tambon Mae Ramat. The search revealed a staggering 1,251 mobile phones, 274 SIM cards, and 19 computers, all suspected to be part of scam operations.
The driver, known only as Tid and aged 45, confessed he was paid 5,000 baht (approximately S$200) to collect and transport the devices. He reported that he had retrieved them from an area near the Moei River at Bann Nam Dib Bon Warn village in Mae Ramat district.
During questioning, Tid cooperated fully and disclosed that he was instructed to send the package through a private courier service to someone named Pawalee in Watthana Nakhon district, located in Sa Kaeo province near the Cambodian border.
Scam Call Center Linked to Myanmar
Col Natthakorn Ruantip, the head of the Ratchamanu Task Force, disclosed that an initial probe had identified the seized electronic devices as part of a scam call centre operation situated in Myawaddy, Myanmar. This town, located directly across from Mae Sot in Tak province, is notorious for hosting illegal online fraud activities.
Authorities believe that this scam operation is considering relocating its base to Cambodia, particularly to an area near Sa Kaeo province, which is already home to other fraudulent call centres. This potential relocation might be an attempt to escape the mounting pressure from law enforcement in both Myanmar and Thailand.
Continued Investigation
Law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing further investigations to uncover more individuals connected to the scam network. Tid has been brought to the Mae Ramat police station for additional questioning and legal action.
The confiscation of these electronic devices signifies another advancement in Thailand’s campaign against cross-border fraud networks that have been preying on vulnerable populations through online scams. Authorities are maintaining a watchful eye, especially in border areas where such crimes are rampant.
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