South Korean Call Gang Busted in Bangkok Over 65m Baht Scam

Police have arrested 11 South Korean nationals in Bangkok for operating a call centre scam that defrauded victims of more than 65 million baht. The suspects were detained during a Central Investigation Bureau operation named “Thailand-Korea Breaking Chains EP.2”. Authorities seized computers, 11 VoIP devices, 33 mobile phones, scam scripts, cash and related documents.

Get today's headlines by email

The arrests were announced on 30 March 2026 at the Central Investigation Bureau headquarters by Pol Lt Gen Nattasak Chawanasai and senior officers. The suspects, aged between 19 and 39, allegedly rented a house in the Ramintra area and converted it into a call centre targeting fellow South Koreans. Police said the group impersonated prosecutors and state officials, threatening victims with fabricated legal cases to coerce money transfers.

Investigators said the gang was part of a wider transnational network that had previously operated in Cambodia before relocating to Thailand. Earlier operations under the same initiative led to the arrest of 17 South Korean suspects in Chonburi and Bangkok. Authorities identified this second group through expanded intelligence sharing with the South Korean embassy and ongoing investigations throughout 2025.

During the raid, officers found the property set up with 11 workstations, each equipped with internet-based calling systems and scripted materials. Lists of South Korean victims, including phone numbers and forged official documents, were also recovered. Police confirmed the suspects used VoIP technology to disguise calls and conduct fraudulent communications from Thailand to victims in South Korea.

Pol Maj Gen Chananan Sarathawanpaet said the scripts were used as templates for online deception, enabling suspects to convincingly impersonate legal authorities. Initial questioning indicated multiple victims, with total damages estimated at over 3 billion won, or approximately 65 million baht. The operation was carried out in coordination with the Royal Thai Police’s cybercrime suppression centre and foreign partners.

Thaitabloid reported that all suspects have been charged with working in Thailand without permits and were handed over to Khok Kram Police Station. Authorities are now working with the South Korean embassy to verify additional offences and assess the full extent of damages suffered by victims.

Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Thaitabloid 31 Mar 2026

View full article