Three Thai nationals who said they were victims of a call centre scam operation were arrested after illegally crossing the Thai-Cambodian border into Sa Kaeo province, following the reported collapse of a Chinese-run criminal network in Poipet. Get today's headlines by email On 5 June, Col Bancha Chancharat, Deputy Commander of the Burapha Task Force, and Col Chainarong Kasi, Commander of the Aranyaprathet Task Force, ordered intensified patrols along the Thai-Cambodian border between checkpoints A.13 and A.14 in Ban Dong Ngu, Pa Rai subdistrict, Aranyaprathet district. Soldiers from Ranger Company 1201 spotted a group of people crawling through barbed-wire fencing and wading across Khlong Luek into Thailand. Officers arrested three Thai nationals: Nakhon, 32, from Phayao; Monchai, 25, from Phetchabun; and Worarat, 26, from Trang. None were carrying passports or border crossing documents. During questioning, the three claimed they had been recruited by a call centre scam network after responding to job advertisements in a Facebook group called “Jobs in Poipet” in January. They said an administrator offered them work responding to messages in so-called “virtual girlfriend” scams designed to persuade victims to invest money. According to their statements, they travelled to the Aranyaprathet bus terminal, where they were collected and taken across the border through an unofficial crossing point. Cambodian guides then escorted them to a building in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province, where they were employed by what they described as a Chinese criminal syndicate. One of the workers said the group had been carrying out fraudulent activities since the start of the year. In late May, Cambodian authorities launched a major crackdown on foreign workers linked to scam operations, prompting the Chinese organisers to move employees into a rented property in Poipet and keep them hidden from 20 May until 3 June. The woman said Cambodian police later prepared to search the property on 4 June. After learning of the planned raid, the organisers allegedly abandoned the workers, opened the doors and told them to fend for themselves. The three said they asked local Cambodian residents for directions before making their way on foot to the border. They crossed through natural routes, climbed through barbed wire and waded across Khlong Luek before being intercepted by Thai ranger forces. The Daily News reported that officials said initial checks found no outstanding arrest warrants or case identification records linked to the three individuals. They were transferred to investigators at Khlong Luek Police Station to face charges of illegal entry and to assist authorities with efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible for recruiting workers into the scam network. Picture courtesy of Daily News Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 6 June 2026
View full article
Create an account or sign in to comment