BANGKOK — The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has launched an anti-scam crackdown operation called ‘CIB Crushes Grey Dragon,’ conducting raids at 11 locations in Chiang Mai Province targeting call center scammers.
Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop Phuridet, Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau, announced the arrests of 15 suspects, including a Thai woman identified as Ms. Jiraphan Prakobkit, 30, who is married to a Chinese national believed to be the gang’s leader.
The operation targeted locations across three districts: one in Mueang Chiang Mai, five in San Sai, and five in San Kamphaeng. Among those arrested were one Thai male, five Chinese nationals, and eight Myanmar citizens. The suspects face charges of illegally possessing and operating radio communication equipment without proper permits.
In a press conference held on November 27 at the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok, authorities displayed the seized evidence, which included 642 GSM Gateways (SIM boxes), 72 computers, 1,455 mobile phones, 590,000 SIM cards, 47 SIM card readers, and various other equipment totaling 592,235 items.
The investigation revealed that the gang was operating a sophisticated scheme selling fake social media accounts to call center scammers and online criminals. They used SIM boxes to generate One-Time Passwords (OTP) for creating fraudulent social media accounts, selling each OTP for approximately 5 baht (1 Chinese yuan).
Ms. Jiraphan denied direct involvement in the criminal activities, claiming she only rented properties and paid utilities for her Chinese husband, who allegedly purchased the equipment. Other suspects reportedly served as caretakers for the properties where the equipment was installed.
“This operation significantly disrupts call center scams that cause billions of baht in damages annually,” said Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop. “Seizing these SIM boxes effectively cuts off a major channel for online criminals. We are now intensifying our efforts to apprehend the Chinese financiers who have fled.”
The case emerged from a previous investigation in May, when authorities conducted raids across 14 locations in nine provinces, leading to the discovery of this larger network in Chiang Mai. The investigation continues as authorities pursue remaining suspects.
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