Crime Vietnamese Call Centre Gang Busted in Thailand for Defrauding Fellow Nationals

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Police have dismantled a Vietnamese-run call centre scam operating from Bangkok’s outskirts, arresting 27 individuals accused of defrauding fellow Vietnamese nationals out of millions of baht.

 

Acting on the orders of National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, a coordinated raid was led by senior officers including Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut and Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nualma. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Special Branch Police, and the 191 Emergency Response Unit stormed two homes being used as the gang’s operational base.

 

Inside the properties, located in a high-end suburban estate, police apprehended 27 suspects, 22 men and 5 women, all Vietnamese nationals. Authorities seized 116 mobile phones, 45 computers and 5 grams of ketamine.

 

According to Pol. Maj. Gen. Nopasin Poolsawat, the arrests followed complaints from the public about a suspicious group of foreigners occupying the rented homes. Investigations revealed that the suspects had entered Thailand on tourist visas, many through the Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province. They had been operating in Thailand since October 2024.

 

The gang reportedly used the “Romance Scam” model, targeting fellow Vietnamese. Scammers created fake online profiles, often using attractive photos and claiming to be wealthy individuals interested in buying property or starting a business. Victims were lured into emotional relationships via the Vietnamese messaging app “Zalo” and then tricked into transferring money under various pretexts, including fabricated debts or emergencies.

 

Each member of the gang was assigned to a dedicated computer terminal, working in shifts to maintain round-the-clock operations. Investigations estimate that each computer generated fraudulent transfers worth around 1.2 billion Vietnamese dong (approximately 1.56 million baht) per month. In total, the operation was scamming approximately 36 billion dong monthly, equivalent to 39 million baht.

 

During questioning, the suspects admitted to renting the two houses since 10 October last year at 30,000 & 40,000 baht per month each. Most operatives had arrived in February and received a basic monthly salary of 12,000 baht, with successful scams earning them bonuses of around 25,000 baht. The operation included various roles such as chefs, electricians and IT technicians.

 

Authorities are now working with forensic investigators and the Technology Crime Suppression Division to expand the investigation. The suspects and all seized items have been transferred to Lam Phakchi Police Station for legal proceedings.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-06-11

 

 

 

[terryofcrete]

Dinged the dong ! Well done ! 

[hotchilli]

Now that's what I call pointing...