Bangkok: The Immigration Bureau has arrested a call center gang that was defrauding Japanese nationals at a luxurious mansion in the Bang Bon area. The mansion had separate offices and clearly defined divisions of labor. Numerous fake police uniforms and insignia were also seized.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Maj. Gen. Panthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commander of the Immigration Bureau, led a raid on a luxurious mansion in Soi Ekachai 112, Bang Bon Nuea Subdistrict, Bang Bon District, Bangkok, following a tip-off to the Immigration Bureau about a large number of foreigners suspiciously entering and exiting the house. A search warrant was obtained from the court, leading to the discovery that the mansion was part of a call center scam.
Investigations revealed that the Chinese boss used nominees to rent the mansion for over a year at a high rent of 900,000 baht per month. Initially, authorities arrested 15 suspects, only one of whom is Thai. The other 14 are foreigners from Japan, China, Taiwan, and Myanmar. All 15 suspects were operational officers responsible for making fraudulent phone calls to victims. The network primarily targeted Japanese nationals. The mastermind is believed to still be hiding in the country, and authorities are currently monitoring the situation to prevent his escape through unofficial border crossings.
The scam method involves randomly calling victims, claiming there is a package containing illegal items. If the victim believes it, they will pretend to transfer the call to another person impersonating a police officer. This person will then inform the victim that they have detected suspicious financial transactions or that the transaction is related to illegal activity. The scammer will then trick the victim into transferring money for verification.
Police then took the press to see the various rooms, which were clearly divided into sections. The second floor was an office used for making fraudulent phone calls to victims, with Japanese scripts displayed. Next to it was an area used for making further calls. This room was filled with police uniforms bearing the logos of various Japanese police stations. The initial seized items included computers, mobile phones, cryptocurrency chips, as well as methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Authorities are currently examining and finalizing details of all seized items, while the suspects are being held. Investigators and immigration officials will consider filing charges and deporting the foreign nationals back to their home countries.