BANGKOK — Thai authorities have uncovered a sophisticated new phone scam network operating through Singapore, marking a significant shift in criminal tactics from the traditional Cambodia-based operations. The discovery came after the arrest of a 19-year-old Chinese national and his girlfriend in Bangkok’s Bang Kapi district.
The Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) revealed that scammers are now routing their calls through Singapore instead of neighboring countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, or Laos. This tactical change makes tracing signal origins substantially more challenging for law enforcement.
“These criminals are constantly evolving their methods,” said Police Commissioner Thatchai Pitaneelaboot. “They’ve moved away from physical SIM cards entirely, operating with overseas-based virtual SIMs to evade local prosecution.”
The breakthrough came during a raid on a fifth-floor apartment in Ramkhamhaeng, where police seized advanced telecommunications equipment including eight SIM-less box devices, multiple routers, and surveillance equipment. The primary suspect, identified only as Mr. Minghong, had entered Thailand on a student visa and allegedly established a network of at least 14 rented properties across Bangkok.
The investigation began after a victim in Ayutthaya province reported losing 10,600 baht to scammers. Police spent a month tracking the operation, which led them to discover an office equipped with CCTV cameras for remote monitoring.
Commissioner Thatchai emphasized that success in combating these evolving scams requires faster cooperation from banks and telecommunications providers.
“Digital evidence is readily available, but we need quicker data access from service providers. Banks must also help prevent the opening of mule accounts, which are characterized by irregular employment history and rapid fund movements.”
The arrests come as Thai authorities face pressure to eliminate call center scams by 2025, a deadline set by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Police remain confident about meeting this target despite the criminals’ increasingly sophisticated methods.
The suspects face multiple charges, including unauthorized possession and operation of telecommunications equipment and using unauthorized frequency bands for telecommunications operations. Both suspects have been transferred to Hua Mak Police Station for further legal proceedings.
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