CIB Cracks Down on Chinese Lead Call Centre Scam

Pictures courtesy of CIB

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has arrested five individuals involved in a transnational call centre scam, in an operation dubbed the “Scam Mission Crack Down.” The suspects face charges of public fraud and impersonation in connection with an elaborate online deception scheme.

The investigation was led by the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) under the CIB, resulting in the apprehension of five suspects:

1. Mr Tian, Chinese national

2. Mr Li, Chinese national

3. Mr Sitthiboon (Thai national)

4. Ms Supaporn (Thai national)

5. Ms Kanya (Thai national)

The suspects are accused of orchestrating a scheme that lured victims through social media advertisements offering to purchase personal photographs. Victims were prompted to add a Line contact, where they were deceived into believing they were working with a legitimate advertising company involved in online promotions.

Initially, victims received small payments in exchange for completing simple “missions”, which created a false sense of trust. Subsequently, they were then encouraged to invest in the company, in return for higher profits, reportedly between 30% and 50% of the invested amount. The scammers claimed that the investment process was overseen by well-known financial figures acting within a Line chat group.

Investments were channelled through a fraudulent platform called “STI Currency Market.” However, when victims attempted to withdraw their funds, they were told they had breached rules and needed to pay additional sums to unlock their money.

Investigators reported the fraud via the online police reporting system, initially uncovering at least seven reported cases with a combined loss of 2.4 million baht. Further inquiries revealed that mule accounts associated with the scam had been flagged in 67 complaints, with total damages exceeding 15 million baht.

Armed with a court warrant, officers arrested the suspects and seized assets, including 3 million baht in cash. The individuals are also believed to have been involved in laundering the illicit proceeds. They have been handed over to investigators for prosecution.

The CIB continues its efforts to dismantle similar criminal networks exploiting citizens through online platforms.

  Adapted by Asean Now from CIB 2025-05-23.