Thai Couple Held Over Cambodia Scam Compounds

Thai anti-trafficking police have arrested a husband and wife accused of helping lure Thai nationals to scam compounds in Cambodia, where victims were allegedly tortured and forced to work for criminal gangs.

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The suspects, identified as 28-year-old Angkarn, also known as Joe, and 29-year-old Saharuthai, also known as Kae, were arrested on 23 May 2026 in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai. Officers from Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division acted on Criminal Court warrants issued on 18 May 2026.

The pair face charges including participation in a transnational criminal organisation, conspiracy to commit human trafficking, and jointly forcing labour or services with three or more people. Police said the arrests followed complaints from Thai victims who escaped from what they described as a “hell building” in Cambodia.

Victims told investigators they had been recruited in April 2025 with promises of admin jobs in Cambodia. Once across the border, they were allegedly detained and forced to work as scammers targeting victims through fake online investment and shopping schemes resembling Shopify platforms.

According to witness statements, workers who refused to sign contracts or failed to meet financial targets were subjected to severe punishment. Victims alleged they were shocked with electric batons, beaten and forced to witness other Thai nationals being tortured. Some reportedly died while being held by Chinese-backed criminal groups operating the compounds.

One victim said they became seriously ill and asked to return to Thailand, only to be told they had to pay a ransom of 500,000 baht. The amount was later negotiated down to 120,000 baht per person, with two victims paying a combined 240,000 baht to secure their release and return home.

Investigators from Division 2 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division later traced the network and obtained arrest warrants for 10 Thai and Chinese suspects, several of whom remain overseas. Police alleged the arrested couple acted as recruiters responsible for persuading Thai nationals to cross the border and monitoring money transfers through mule bank accounts.

Authorities said the couple initially hid in Wang Nam Yen district, Sa Kaeo, before fleeing to a mountain area in Chiang Dao district. Officers reportedly seized chat records allegedly used to recruit additional victims.

During questioning, both suspects denied direct involvement in managing the operation. They admitted travelling to Cambodia with victims and acknowledged knowing about ransom demands and physical abuse, but denied ordering or organising the crimes.

Khaosod reported that police transferred the suspects to investigators for legal proceedings. Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau warned the public not to trust offers of overseas jobs promising unusually high pay, saying such schemes could lead to forced labour, human trafficking, financial crime, or death.

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 24 May 2026