CHIANG MAI — Thai police have arrested 15 Chinese nationals and 2 Myanmar citizens in a major raid on a luxury house in Chiang Mai province, uncovering a sophisticated scamming operation that allegedly defrauded over 100,000 Chinese victims out of more than $15 million.
Police Region 5 Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Krittapon Yisakorn led a multi-agency task force including officers from the PCT (Police Cyber Taskforce), intelligence analysts, and specialized equipment units in the operation. The team surrounded and searched the upscale residence in a housing development in Ban Waen subdistrict, Hang Dong district.
Authorities had identified the property as a suspected base for Chinese scammers, with Thai nationals allegedly serving as nominees in the house purchase to provide cover for the illegal operation targeting mainland Chinese citizens.
The raid resulted in the confiscation of 10 computers and 26 mobile phones as evidence. All 17 suspects were arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud the public and participation in organized crime.
The operation followed investigations revealing that Chinese scammers had spread their network across Thailand, purchasing or renting houses, hotels, and condominiums. These properties served as bases for phone networks used to lure overseas Chinese into online gambling or to visit casinos established by Chinese investors in neighboring countries.
The scammers used Thailand as a central hub for social media and telephone coordination to deceive Chinese targets. Beyond gambling schemes, the operation also functioned as a call center for various other fraudulent activities.
According to police estimates, the network victimized more than 100,000 Chinese citizens, with total damages exceeding 100 million yuan (approximately $15 million USD).
Authorities continue investigating to identify additional co-conspirators and related networks involved in the operation.
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