BANGKOK — In a significant development following November’s “CIB Crushes Grey Dragon” anti-scam operation, Thai authorities have apprehended a suspected Chinese scam syndicate leader near the Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo Province.
On December 2, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), working jointly with Sa Kaeo Provincial Police and Immigration officers, arrested De Min, a 35-year-old Chinese national. De Min is the husband of Ms. Jiraphan, a 30-year-old Thai suspect previously arrested in Chiang Mai. The arrest took place near a road leading to Cambodia in Non Sao Ae village, Aran Prathet district, Sa Kaeo province.
De Min faces charges of illegally operating and possessing radio communication equipment without proper authorization. Despite being found on a natural trail near the border, he denied any wrongdoing and claimed he was merely heading to the Rong Klua Market.
This arrest is part of an ongoing CIB operation that has targeted 14 locations across 9 provinces, resulting in the seizure of substantial equipment and the arrest of at least 17 suspects. Among them was Ms. Jiraphan, who allegedly managed logistics, including site procurement and equipment installation for GSM Gateway or SIMBOX operations, working alongside her Chinese husband who investigators identified as a major financier and administrator.
Before his arrest, De Min had attempted to evade authorities by fleeing from Chiang Mai to Nakhon Sawan, abandoning his car and taking a bus to Bangkok in an apparent bid to leave the country. His other wife, Ms. Yin, a 37-year-old Chinese national, was also arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the same day for allegedly assisting a criminal.
On December 3, Police Colonel Wiwat Jitsopakul from CIB Division 2 announced that the court has denied bail for both suspects, citing flight risk and their connections to international scammer networks. The suspects have been detained at Bangkok Special Prison while investigations continue.
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