Cyber Police Crack Down on Major Gambling Ring in Chiang Rai

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of CCIB

 

A significant crackdown on online gambling networks was led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiewphan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), along with senior officers, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of large amounts of equipment and cash. The operation targeted three locations across Chiang Rai province, uncovering a network with over 1 billion baht in financial turnover.

 

Armed with search warrants from the Chiang Rai Provincial Court, the team conducted simultaneous raids:

 

1. Location 1: A house in Moo 4, Ban Du Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Rai District, where four suspects were arrested — Ms. Chanantida (24), Ms. Waranya (23), Ms. Chutima (24), and Ms. Aranyarat (20). Seized items included four computers, ten mobile phones, and three barcode scanners.

 

2. Location 2: A house at 509/38, Moo 9, Ban Du Subdistrict, where three suspects — Second Lieutenant Suporada, Ms. Suttita, and Ms. Saranporn , were apprehended. Confiscated items included five computers, 39 mobile phones, three tablets, one router, 20 bank account books, and 25 ATM cards.

 

3. Location 3: A residence in Moo 13, Mae Sai District, where Mr. Natthapong (30) was arrested. Authorities seized one computer, one mobile phone, and one router.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong stated that the operation followed government orders to combat online gambling, which negatively impacts society. Investigations revealed complaints about online gambling platforms operating in Chiang Rai. The OK2D website, identified as a major player, had 80,344 registered members and generated 200 million baht in monthly transactions.

 

During the raids, eight suspects were arrested, and authorities confiscated cash totaling 130,000 baht, along with substantial digital and physical evidence. The suspects admitted to being employed as administrators to handle marketing, manage withdrawals, and oversee operations.

 

Further investigations unveiled connections to 2-3 additional gambling websites with over 200,000 users and a combined turnover exceeding 1 billion baht. A site in Mae Sai was also found illegally transmitting internet signals to neighboring countries.

 

Authorities plan to collaborate with the Chiang Rai Provincial Police to expand the investigation and dismantle the remaining networks.

 

-- 2024-12-25