Major Sweep Targets Scammers and Proxy Businesses
A significant crackdown on fraudulent activities has resulted in the apprehension of approximately 30,000 individuals involved in scam operations and the dismantling of around 1,450 proxy firms. These efforts are part of a broader national strategy to combat organized crime and protect citizens from financial exploitation.
Government Highlights Successes in Anti-Scam Campaign
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the successful outcomes of the intensified campaign against scammers and proxy businesses. He stated that the focused action, which began nine months ago, has yielded “satisfactory outcomes,” leading to a noticeable reduction in both the number of scam incidents and the associated financial damages. “This shows that suppression mechanisms effectively help people,” the Prime Minister remarked.
Significant Drop in Scam Cases and Financial Losses
Data from the Royal Thai Police Office indicates a substantial decrease in scam-related crime. Reported scam cases have fallen by 69.2%, and financial losses attributed to scams have decreased by 87.3% this month compared to October of the previous year. In total, police have arrested 29,233 individuals identified as scammers, including about 70 alleged gang leaders. Assets and cash linked to these criminal activities, valued at approximately 24 billion baht, have been impounded.
Repatriation and Deportation Efforts
The government has facilitated the return of 1,862 Thai nationals who were reportedly exploited by scam gangs operating outside the country. A significant majority, 67.9%, were repatriated from Cambodia, with the remaining 32.1% coming from Laos. Concurrently, 2,489 Thai individuals were apprehended for illicit cross-border activities and were found to be involved in 1,031 scam cases. In addition, 2,647 foreign nationals were deported after illegally entering Thailand, following suppression operations in the notorious KKPark and Minletpan areas of neighboring Myanmar. Approximately 60 suspected scam syndicate locations were identified across Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Cyber Scam Centre’s Role in Prevention and Disruption
The government’s Anti Cyber Scam Centre’s real-time war room successfully intervened to save 862 individuals from falling victim to scam gangs. The center has also taken action to suspend over 300,000 phone numbers associated with scammers, leading to a dramatic 77.94% reduction in monthly scam calls. Authorities have blocked a total of 122,840 scam Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), with 108,517 of these identified on the Facebook platform.
Tackling Mule Accounts and Financial Networks
In an effort to disrupt financial flows, officials have shut down 351,884 mule accounts. Approximately 3.6 billion baht in victims’ money has been recovered from these accounts, representing a quarter of the total reported financial losses. The number of active mule accounts has seen a significant decline of 83.67%, with transactions through these accounts falling by 81.39%.
Focus on Proxy Businesses in Southern Provinces
In parallel with the anti-scam operations, law enforcement has been targeting proxy or nominee businesses operating in the southern provinces of Krabi, Phangnga, Phuket, and Surat Thani. This initiative has led to the recovery of approximately 130 rai of land occupied illegally by foreign entities, with the estimated value of the land and its structures amounting to 1.67 billion baht.
Koh Phangan and Southern Provinces Under Scrutiny
On Koh Phangan in Surat Thani, authorities investigated 243 alleged proxy companies. Legal action has been initiated against 105 of these entities, with 14 cases resulting in court convictions. Nominee holdings are also under scrutiny in 401 companies in Krabi, 174 in Phangnga, and 632 in Phuket.
Arrests of Individuals Involved in Proxy Schemes
For offenses related to proxy businesses, police have secured arrest warrants for 29 Thai nationals and 67 foreign individuals. To date, 24 Thai citizens and 41 foreigners have been apprehended. The arrested foreign nationals include citizens from Israel, France, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, South Africa, and Britain.
