Bangkok: The Thai government has reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling call center gangs following the issuance of an arrest warrant for the notorious “Kok An”. The government aims to eradicate the global fraud industry through coordinated international efforts.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangtrakul, the spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that the government has been actively working with the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to intensify investigations and arrests related to call center operations. The recent move includes an arrest warrant for ‘Kok An’, a key figure linked to a major call center operation based in Cambodia.
The Royal Thai Police report that an extensive search operation was conducted across 19 locations in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi. These searches, backed by warrants from the Criminal Court, targeted properties associated with ‘Kok An’, a Cambodian national suspected of operating a transnational crime organization. The properties included the Crown Casino Resort network in Poipet, known to be a hub for call center activities aimed at defrauding individuals globally.
Mr. Jirayu highlighted that the government’s policy, established three months ago, directed all police headquarters to target and arrest individuals involved in the call center scams. He noted the persistence of these fraudulent activities despite ongoing efforts, emphasizing the government’s stringent policy to address and dismantle these networks. The expectation is to dismantle additional significant sources of the fraud operations within the month.
The government is also maintaining measures such as cutting off electricity and internet communications to disrupt the activities of these gangs. In collaboration with international bodies like the United Nations and Amnesty International, Thailand is working to address the issue, particularly in Cambodia, which has been identified as a major base for such operations. This international coordination is a key component of Thailand’s strategy to address the issue effectively.