BANGKOK — In a dramatic operation reminiscent of a movie scene, Thai and Chinese police forces have successfully frozen cryptocurrency assets worth $2.5 million (approximately 84 million baht) from two alleged Chinese scam kingpins. The assets were discovered in hidden digital wallets following the suspects’ arrest.
The operation, carried out on February 5, was a joint effort between Huamark Police Station and the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT). Officers apprehended two Chinese nationals who reportedly attempted to resist arrest and delete data from their phones before being subdued.
The suspects were identified as Mr. Ye Wanyou, 29, and Mr. Li Weijie, 30. During the initial raid at their luxury residence, authorities seized $44,550 in assets. Further collaboration with Chinese authorities led to the discovery and freezing of an additional $2.5 million in cryptocurrency.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra directed Police General Kitt-rath Phanphetch, the National Police Chief, along with Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Senior Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police and the Director of the PCT, to coordinate with Chinese police officials. A joint investigation meeting held on February 7 at Huamark Police Station revealed several key findings:
- The investigation uncovered hidden cryptocurrency wallets containing approximately 2.5 million USDT (Tether tokens), worth about 84 million baht.
- Evidence suggested the suspects were involved in human trafficking operations near Mae Sot district in Tak province, along the Thai border.
- Investigators also identified potential office locations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and discovered evidence of fraudulent product sales operations within Thailand.
Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, announced additional charges against the two Chinese suspects for public fraud. Authorities are opposing bail in their detention request to the Criminal Court. The investigation continues as officials work to uncover more details about the operation’s scope and potential accomplices.
_________
