South Korean Call-Centre Gang Busted

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

Thai police have dismantled a South Korean-led call-centre scam that relocated to Thailand after fleeing a neighbouring country, with officers arresting suspects and uncovering losses exceeding 500 million baht. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) announced the operation on 8 December 2025, confirming that the group had been running fraudulent investment schemes targeting South Korean nationals. Authorities say the discovery immediately disrupted an international operation that had been active since late 2024.

The arrests followed joint investigative work between Thailand and South Korea, focused on transnational crime networks. Police identified that the group had escaped from a neighbouring country and was hiding in Pattaya, prompting officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to launch checks. At 14:00 on 8 December, senior police officials, together with Mr Kim Doodung from the Consular Police Section of the South Korean Embassy, outlined the arrests.

Seventeen suspects were detained, including 14 South Koreans and 3 Chinese nationals. All were charged with working illegally in Thailand and overstaying permission to remain in the country. Police confirmed that several suspects had outstanding Interpol warrants.

Officers found that the four South Korean suspects were previously part of a call-centre syndicate operating a Ponzi-style investment scam from Cambodia, falsely claiming to represent the Malaysian resort brand “Genting Malaysia”. The gang allegedly promised high returns to South Korean victims, causing losses totalling KRW 20,160,531,817 (approximately 500 million baht). The scam ran from October 2024 to May 2025 before the group fled.

Further investigation then led police to two condominium units in Bangkok, in the Rama III and Lumpini areas, used as hideouts and operational hubs. Rooms had been subdivided into around 20 small workspaces containing desktop computers, VoIP phones, victim lists and fabricated prosecutor documents. Officers also seized fraudulent identification cards and scripts used to impersonate South Korean state officials to pressure victims into transferring money.

Police reported that suspects impersonated South Korean bank officials, convincing victims to take out loans and pay supposed processing fees. Ten suspects were detained at the Rama III condominium, eight South Koreans and two Chinese nationals, while three more were arrested at the Lumpini residence. All suspects admitted to working in Thailand without authorisation and were transferred to Bang Pong Pang Police Station and Lumpini Police Station.

According to Khaosod, Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai stated that 50 computers, 35 phones and multiple forged documents were seized, though no Thai victims were identified. Authorities will now coordinate with the South Korean Embassy to process the suspects. Once legal proceedings conclude in Thailand, the group will be sent back to South Korea for prosecution.

Key Takeaways

• Thai police arrested foreign suspects linked to a South Korean call-centre scam causing losses of about 500 million baht.

• The gang operated from Cambodia before fleeing to Thailand, where they hid in Bangkok and Pattaya condominiums.

• After Thai proceedings, suspects will be handed over to South Korean authorities for further legal action.

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-12-09