Thai Influencer Held in Online Gambling Crackdown

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Yesterday, an online influencer named Sek Atsada - but better known by his screen name "Tee Oros" - found himself facing arrest in Thailand. This move was led by high-ranking authorities, including the Police Major General Chirawat Payungtham and Police Major General Wiwat Kamchamnan, all under the guidance of Police General Kittirat Phanphet. This arrest is part of an initiative dubbed 'Operation You’ll Know Soon' with a mission to curtail crimes that are having a profound impact on the public.

 

Sek, who has enjoyed significant influence online, appears to have taken a wrong turn by using his influence for illicit purposes. He had purportedly been promoting a gambling site through personal posts on his Facebook profile. By posting links to a popular gambling site, he had been drawing in members of the public and, disconcertingly, enticing vulnerable young people into gambling.

 

Upon being taken into custody, Sek confessed to promoting the gambling site via direct advertising. For his promotional activities, he was apparently paid a hefty fee of 30,000 baht. "The actions of influencers like Tee Oros set a poor example," General Chirawat noted in a statement. "Leading many, especially young people, astray."

 

 

This case casts a spotlight on a broader effort currently underway by the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). The TCSD's aim is to tackle online criminals who wield significant societal influence; in particular, they’re targeting influencers and YouTubers. Such individuals are capable of steering public opinion and behaviour, which can create harmful societal impacts.

 

The arrest of Sek forms part of a greater strategy to clamp down on online gambling. The police force is working hard to dismantle the networks – often operating via social media and online platforms – that entrap unsuspecting surfers into the world of gambling. This is vital work, as emphasised by General Chirawat: "We're committed to protecting the public from the harms of online gambling and making sure those exploiting their influence for illegal gains face justice."

 

The charges laid on Sek include organising and advertising gambling as well as indirectly encouraging participation in gambling. The police are continuing their investigations and are committed to taking further actions against everyone involved in these networks.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-14