Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Police have arrested 24 foreign nationals hiding in a pool villa in Samut Prakan, as part of a major crackdown called “City Lockdown: Hunt for Scammers”. The suspects, mostly Filipino nationals, were allegedly part of a cross-border online fraud network that fled from Myawaddy, Myanmar, following recent unrest.

 

The operation was launched by the Anti-Cyber Scam Center, under the supervision of Pol Lt Gen Jiraphop Phuridej, Assistant National Police Chief, and directed by Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaownasai, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau. The raid was carried out by officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), working jointly with Immigration Bureau investigators and cybercrime specialists.

 

During the raid on the high-end property, officers discovered 22 Filipinos and Singaporeans staying at the villa. Upon inspection, two suspects, Mrs. Chessy (38) and Ms. Rose (29), were found to be in Thailand without entry permits, while 17 others had overstayed their visas. All were charged under the Immigration Act and transferred to the Immigration Bureau for further legal proceedings.

 

Questioning revealed that the group had previously worked for scam companies in Myawaddy, operating under Chinese management. After violent conflict broke out in the area around 21 October 2025, they fled into Thailand, where their supervisor arranged accommodation at the villa for 200,000 baht, covering the period from 27 to 31 October while awaiting relocation to a third country.

 

Three others staying at the villa, Mr. Kwang Wee (44, Singaporean), Mr. Reynaldo (25, Filipino) and Ms. Marfie (25, Filipino), were not charged but are under review for possible visa cancellation due to suspected links to scam activity. Kwang Wee informed police that seven other managers from the same network were hiding at a Bangkok hotel, leading to further questioning of Mr. Chen Kok Loon (37, Malaysian) and Ms. Lu Lisi (33, Chinese), both of whom were found connected to the same fraudulent operation.

 

Police are now searching for five additional Malaysian suspects, Mr. Loh (55), Mr. Chow (32), Mr. Jonathan (44), Mr. Lee (29), and Mr. Yuen (31), who fled before the raid. Investigations have traced the syndicate’s leadership to Mr. Lin, a Chinese national, believed to control three scam companies in Myawaddy, DBL1, DBL2 and DRS, specialising in investment fraud targeting Singaporean phone users.

 

Authorities have urged the public to report any suspicious foreigners or online scam activities to the Anti-Cyber Scam Center, the Central Investigation Bureau, or local police. All arrested suspects have reportedly confessed during preliminary questioning.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Police arrested 24 foreign scammers hiding in a pool villa after fleeing conflict in Myanmar.

• Most suspects were Filipino nationals linked to a Myawaddy-based fraud network run by Chinese operators.

• Authorities are expanding investigations to locate additional Malaysian members and the Chinese ringleader.

 

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Naewna 2025-11-01

 

 

 

 

 

good riddance to trash. 

"..two suspects, Mrs. Chessy (38) and Ms. Rose (29), were found to be in Thailand without entry permits, while 17 others had overstayed their visas"

How did those 2 women get into the country? Submarine? Who did they pay off? 

 

3 minutes ago, Emdog said:

"..two suspects, Mrs. Chessy (38) and Ms. Rose (29), were found to be in Thailand without entry permits, while 17 others had overstayed their visas"

How did those 2 women get into the country? Submarine? Who did they pay off? 

 

Walked across the border?