Crime War Room Setup to Crush Call Centres in 3 Months

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Thailand’s top law enforcement and regulatory agencies have joined forces to launch a major crackdown on international call centre scams, with a bold three-month plan to dismantle key operations, particularly those based in neighbouring Cambodia.

 

The newly formed operations centre, dubbed the International Anti-Scam and Human Trafficking Syndicate Command Centre (IAC), held its first high-level “war room” meeting on 4/August, under the leadership of National Police Inspector-General Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelaboot. He was joined by senior figures from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, the Office of the Attorney General, Immigration Bureau, Tourist Police and representatives from a wide range of state and financial institutions.

 

Also present were international partners, including delegates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the FBI and Interpol.

 

Speaking at the opening, Pol. Gen. Thatchai said the joint effort, would involve an integrated approach targeting the call centre syndicates’ operations, financial networks and recruitment chains.

 

“This is not just a domestic issue, it’s a global threat. These scams damage lives and economies around the world. Our goal is to strike at the heart of the networks and cut off their financial lifelines,” he stated.

 

Authorities confirmed that Cambodia remains a major hub for transnational scam operations, with Thai nationals frequently lured or smuggled across the border to work for criminal syndicates. Pol. Gen. Thatchai condemned such actions, saying, “Those who knowingly join these gangs are betraying their own country. They are complicit in an industry that funds weapons and unrest, posing a serious threat to national security.”

 

The IAC war room will facilitate real-time coordination among agencies to shut down scam-related bank accounts, trace illicit funds and apprehend offenders. Police have vowed to pursue all suspects, especially Thai nationals involved in these syndicate, with the full force of the law.

 

Officials described the three-month timeframe as “aggressive but necessary,” given the urgent need to protect citizens and restore international confidence.

 

The initiative also involves key Thai ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Digital Economy and Society, the Bank of Thailand, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and the National Cyber Security Agency, as well as private financial institutions.

 

With thousands of victims across the globe and billions of baht in damages, the authorities stressed that only a united front, domestically and internationally, could dismantle the call centre crime machine.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-08-05