Police Crack Down on Illegal Hotels Aiding Scammers: Fines Total 5.5 Million Baht

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture of Police General Yingyot Thepjumnong

 

The Eastern Regional Police, led by Police General Yingyot Thepjumnong, have intensified efforts against illegal hotels supporting criminal activities, specifically those linked to money laundering and call centre scams. In a significant ruling, a court has imposed a hefty fine of 5.5 million baht on a hotel owner for providing accommodation to individuals involved in these illicit operations.

 

As part of Operation “Arany 68 Seal Border,” the police are targeting illegal migrants and international criminal syndicates, particularly those using hotels as safe havens for their activities. The crackdown focuses on areas along the borders of Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat, where many of these crimes are reported to occur.

 

General Yingyot stated that the police have successfully apprehended numerous suspects and are actively seeking to deter hotel operators from offering refuge to “mule” account holders, individuals who use bank accounts belonging to others to facilitate illegal financial transactions. He warned that any hotel found providing shelter to these individuals risks severe legal consequences.

 

On February 17, 2025, the authorities raided a guesthouse in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo Province, after discovering it was housing “mule” account holders tied to call centre scams. The court subsequently sentenced the owner, identified only as Mr A (48), to three months in prison (suspended for two years) and fined him 5,000 baht, with additional penalties amounting to 5,528,000 baht for ongoing violations.

 

General Yingyot remarked, “This serves as a costly lesson for hotel operators. Allowing criminals to use your establishment for their operations could lead to serious repercussions. Any hotel owners who knowingly provide accommodation to individuals using someone else’s bank account will face legal action.”

 

The police chief reiterated that hotels and guesthouses found sheltering online scammers may be violating the Hotel Act B.E. 2547 (2004) and the Anti-Money Laundering Act B.E. 2542 (1999). Violators could face imprisonment, hefty fines, or both.

 

General Yingyot concluded by urging hotel operators to ensure their establishments do not become hiding places for criminals. He encouraged anyone with information regarding suspicious activities to report them to the police immediately, reinforcing the police’s commitment to combat transnational crime and the ongoing threat posed by call centre scams.

 

-- 2025-02-22