Crime Malaysian Suspect in Massive Online Gambling Syndicate Arrested at Don Mueang Airport

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

Immigration officers at Don Mueang International Airport have apprehended a major suspect linked to the notorious online gambling network HYDRA888, which is believed to have handled over 11.5 billion baht in financial transactions over the past year.

 

The suspect, identified as Steven Choong Seng Lok, a 26-year-old Malaysian national, was arrested on 9 July, upon arrival in Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur via AirAsia flight AK890. Authorities had received prior intelligence that a high-profile individual wanted in connection with HYDRA888 would be entering the country through Don Mueang. A special investigation team was deployed to intercept the suspect at the aircraft’s exit gate.

 

Mr Choong was detained under Nonthaburi Provincial Court Arrest Warrant No. 1300/2567, issued on 16 December 2024. The charges include:

 

• Organising illegal online gambling activities

 

• Conspiring with others to commit the offence of money laundering, and

 

• Engaging in money laundering as a result of that conspiracy.

 

Investigators revealed that Mr Choong is the owner of a company that acted as a front for funneling vast sums of money generated by HYDRA888, an illegal online gambling website. The network allegedly processed transactions totalling more than 11.52 billion baht over the course of a single year.

 

Following his arrest, Mr Choong was transferred to the Technology Crime Suppression Division 2 (TCSD 2) for further legal proceedings.

 

This operation forms part of Thailand’s ongoing crackdown on transnational cybercrime and online gambling rings, many of which are believed to involve foreign nationals and complex money laundering operations.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-10