BANGKOK — Thai authorities have seized assets worth more than 10 billion baht ($313 million) in a major crackdown on transnational scam networks, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced Wednesday, as investigators raided 50 locations across 22 provinces.
The operation, dubbed “Uproot Cross-Border Scammers,” targeted Thai nationals allegedly collaborating with criminal organizations based in Cambodia. Seized assets include luxury yachts, high-end vehicles, land, and frozen bank accounts, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) reported.
During a press conference on December 3 at CIB headquarters, Prime Minister Anutin fielded questions about connections between the criminal network and members of his government.
The raids followed joint investigations by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and related agencies targeting scam operations with links to call center fraud and organized crime syndicates in Cambodia. On December 2, authorities approved the seizure of assets in four major cases involving clear connections to transnational money laundering networks.
Authorities detailed four major cases linked to the seizures:
Case 1: Chen Zhi Network
The first case involves Chen Zhi, a Chinese-Cambodian businessman connected to online fraud and human trafficking operations based in Cambodia. Investigators linked the network to the Prince Holding Group, uncovering money laundering through cryptocurrency converted into various assets in what authorities describe as a “hybrid scam” operation. Officials seized 102 items worth approximately 373 million baht ($11.7 million).
Case 2: Kok An Network
The second case targets Kok An, owner of multiple buildings in Cambodia used as call center bases. The network allegedly used facial recognition to create mule accounts for transferring funds, then purchased Thai assets under nominees’ names. Authorities seized 90 items valued at approximately 467 million baht ($14.6 million).
Case 3: Tangmo Thai Network
The largest seizure involves a suspect identified as Tangmo Thai and associates, linked to Mr. Yim Leak and Mr. Ben Smith, individuals allegedly close to influential figures in Cambodia. The network tricked victims into transferring money for “purity checks” and used complex international transactions to disguise the money trail.
In this case alone, authorities seized 66 items including land, condominiums, and securities worth 9.279 billion baht ($290 million). AMLO’s secretary-general also ordered the emergency seizure of three luxury vehicles: a ZEEKR 009, a Ferrari 488 GTB, and a Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe, currently being appraised.
Case 4: Eua-Angkoon Network
The fourth case involves Eua-Angkoon and accomplices who allegedly lured investors to trade stocks through the ULELA Max application with fabricated profit data. The stolen funds were converted to USDT cryptocurrency and transferred to transnational criminal networks. Authorities seized 31 items worth approximately 46 million baht ($1.4 million).
Political Connections Addressed
During the press conference, Anutin addressed questions about connections to high-ranking officials, specifically former Finance Minister Worapak Thanyawong and Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Col. Thammanat Prompao, who acknowledged knowing Ben Smith, one of the suspects.
“Personal acquaintances can happen, but in practice, if evidence links anyone to wrongdoing, we must pursue the case strictly without exception, regardless of that person’s prominence,” Anutin said. He emphasized the principle of “close the name, follow the behavior.”
The prime minister also ordered the Interior Ministry to revoke the Thai citizenship of Yim Leak, chairman of BIC Bank, a Cambodian commercial bank. Investigators found Yim obtained Thai citizenship through marriage to a Thai woman under Section 6 of the nationality law.
“We will proceed using the same standards applied to others whose citizenship has been revoked previously,” Anutin said.
Temporary Seizure Orders
The asset seizure orders are temporary for up to 90 days. Those whose assets were seized or affected parties may file appeals with supporting evidence to prove the assets were not obtained through criminal activity within 30 days of receiving notice, according to AMLO officials.
“Technology-based crime is constantly evolving, like ‘Catch Me If You Can,'” the prime minister said. “But as a government and law enforcement authority, we must respond: ‘I can always catch you’ — for the safety of our people and nation.”Claude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
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