Bangkok: DSI launched Operation ShadowBay, a shadow network, to arrest an international scam gang in the middle of the capital who tricked people into buying fake products and services, causing damages worth over 800 million baht. DSI officers went to the area to launch Operation ShadowBay, a shadow network, to raid and arrest an international scam gang in the area of Petchburi New Road, Soi 13, which opened more than a hundred fake websites, deceiving people into buying fake products and services that do not actually exist, causing damages worth more than 800 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, when the officers searched the warehouse, a front was found to be a Cargo Import Export Company. The warehouse was full of goods and boxes. They found a Nigerian male suspect and charged him with 5 counts: fraud, transnational organized crime, money laundering, money laundering, and violating the Computer Act by creating a fake website. In addition, the suspect was taken in for questioning.
Pol. Lt. Col. Wisanu Chimtrakul, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, and Pol. Lt. Col. Khemchat Prakaihongmanee, Director of the Technology and Information Crime Division, revealed that from the initial interrogation, the suspect still denied the charges, claiming that he opened a company to invest in trading rubber gloves, medical equipment, and did import and export business for clothing to many countries such as Nigeria and Africa, and rented a warehouse to store goods for many years. From the investigation, it was found that since the Covid period, there have been victims who have ordered products from the website but have not received them, especially medical equipment, rubber gloves, and face masks. There have been more than 30 Thai victims who have filed complaints and reported to the police in many areas, more than 30 cases, who have transferred money but have not received any products at all.
DSI has been investigating this international scam gang and its financial connections for many years until they found a connection that they have been continuously deceiving people for many years, setting up more than 10 companies, opening more than 100 websites, having networks spread across many countries, dividing up the tasks, such as maintaining the website, accounting, and taking care of money. They are based in India, with an Indian admin who chats with the victims on the website in English. There are Thais who do the accounting, and there are mule accounts in the names of Thais. There are crypto accounts. In addition, there are also romance scams, which have led many victims to believe them.
Today and tomorrow there will be an announcement of the results of the operation to arrest suspects with 24 arrest warrants in the areas of Bangkok and Krabi, revealing the fraudulent plan and the money trail, which is clear evidence leading to the search of many areas and the arrest of suspects.
While the Thai warehouse owner revealed that Thais and foreigners had contacted him to rent the warehouse, signing an annual contract for 50,000 baht per month, for 5 years, and there were no problems. He saw a company sign and that there was real transportation of goods, so there was nothing unusual. Until the DSI contacted him, he found out about the matter and came to provide information.