Seven arrested for smuggling Chinese nationals into Thailand for potential call centre scams

[webfact]

Photo Courtesy of Istock

 

by Mitch Connor

 

Seven Thai individuals have been detained for their alleged involvement in smuggling Chinese nationals from Laos into Thailand. Authorities are investigating whether these cases have any connection to call centre gangs.

 

The series of arrests were disclosed in a press briefing held yesterday by Provincial Police Region 3 Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Somprasong Yenthuan, which involved Highway Police, Immigration Police, and Phibun Mangsahan Police in Ubon Ratchathani province.

 

The investigation began on March 31 when officers discovered a Thai man smuggling three Chinese nationals into Thailand through the border. Subsequently, on Wednesday, May 17, police apprehended two more Thai men involved in the smuggling operation. Pol. Lt. Gen. Somprasong stated that the three Chinese nationals might have been involved in transnational crimes, such as call-centre scams and cybercrimes.

 

He explained that the Thai accomplices would collaborate with Lao middlemen who procured Chinese individuals to be transported across the Thai-Lao border. Once in Thailand, the Thai drivers would take the Chinese nationals to border towns like Mae Sot district in Tak province, where they would be escorted across the border into Myanmar. Several cars would accompany the smuggled Chinese nationals to protect them from the police. Many of the drivers were reportedly related or lived in the same village.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/seven-arrested-for-smuggling-chinese-nationals-into-thailand-for-potential-call-centre-scams

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-23

 

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[ezzra]

Those heartless people involved in the scamming operations to fleecing unsuspecting people of their hard earned money are the lowest of the low and if I had my way with them there will be none left. 

[flyingtlger]

This is only the tip of the iceberg....there are so many of these smugglers (drugs as well as humans), scammers/con artists, they're like cockroaches. You'll never be able to eliminate them, only try to control them.

It's easy money and once they get the feel for easy money, it becomes an addiction....

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by flyingtlger

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He explained that the Thai accomplices would collaborate with Lao middlemen who procured Chinese individuals to be transported across the Thai-Lao border. Once in Thailand, the Thai drivers would take the Chinese nationals to border towns like Mae Sot district in Tak province, where they would be escorted across the border into Myanmar. Several cars would accompany the smuggled Chinese nationals to protect them from the police. Many of the drivers were reportedly related or lived in the same village.

Quite the team... but not the A-team

[RichardColeman]

But why smuggle them in, its not like the Chinese are not welcome here. They could have just met them at the airport. One can only assume that they are part of a gang on a wanted list

[Will B Good]

Jeez H C.......are they worried there aren't enough here already?