Thai police shut down online gambling operation worth 700 million baht

[snoop1130]

 

Thai police have shut down a large online gambling operation, revealing that the network had been active for seven years, conducting financial transactions worth more than 700 million baht.

 

On April 25, senior police officers led by Police Lieutenant General Worrawut Watanakunbancha, Head of the Special Investigation Unit, conducted a raid on two homes in the Bo Haeo district of Lampang province. During the raid, two individuals, 41-year-old Punika and 28-year-old Kotchakorn, were arrested.

 

The police seized various pieces of property, including four cars, three houses, and four motorbikes, in addition to around 200,000 baht (US$5,400) in cash. Luxury items such as jewelry and designer bags were also found, adding up to a total worth of over 20 million baht (US$540,000).

 

The arrested individuals confessed during questioning, revealing that prior to running the illegal website, they worked in public relations at a casino in Poipet, Cambodia. Upon returning to Thailand, they were persuaded by a family member to operate an online gambling business in partnership with the owners of the Cambodian casino.

 

It emerged that the pair earned a commission of 10 to 20% from the website's revenue, with the site boasting over 5,000 users, including people from Thailand and Cambodia. The operation reportedly had a turnover of over 700 million baht (US$19 million).

 

Three other individuals were employed as administrators for the operation, earning between 8,000 and 14,000 baht (US$215 to 380). A fourth suspect, 39-year-old Pratthana, is currently being pursued in relation to the operation.

 

In a simultaneous operation, police officers also searched two companies, located in Lampang and Chiang Mai, suspected of sending SMS messages advertising illegal gambling websites.

 

The first company sent around one billion SMS messages per year, generating an income of 100 million baht (US$2.7 million). The second company sent roughly 40 million messages annually, earning about 4 million baht (US$108,000).

 

The police have committed to continuing their efforts in breaking down online gambling operations, as well as focusing on illegitimate SMS marketing companies in line with national online crime prevention initiatives, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Deputy National Police Chief Worrawut.

 

Caption: Creative Common License via Microsoft Bing

 

-- 2024-04-25

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[Trippy]

Sell them a license and tax them 15% of the net revenue. 

[AndyAndyAndy]

Asian people can't handle gambling. They have it in their genes. Better keep it illegal here.

[Maybole]

Why did it take them seven years?

[hotchilli]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai police have shut down a large online gambling operation, revealing that the network had been active for seven years, conducting financial transactions worth more than 700 million baht.

On the ball as usual.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, Maybole said:

Why did it take them seven years?

I have an idea... 

[IamNoone88]

1 billion sms messages ... that would cost them.

[soalbundy]

12 hours ago, Maybole said:

Why did it take them seven years?

up till then they were paying for privacy. The Big Joke case made everybody nervous, time to shut it down.

[Sydebolle]

Tip of the iceberg, if you ask me; visit any casino (King Royals, Savan or Poipet) for clarification of what "serious" money can mean .........