BANGKOK – The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the Royal Thai Police have reported strong results from a one-month nationwide crackdown against online fraud networks, leading to 73 arrests and the seizure of assets worth over 500 million baht.
Officials confirmed that any state personnel found involved will face full legal action, with no exceptions.
At the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob and Pol Lt-General Jiraphop Phuridej, Assistant National Police Chief, joined senior officers from the CIB, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), and the Immigration Bureau to brief the media on operations carried out between 1 and 26 October.
The campaign targeted online-fraud syndicates and call-centre gangs. It also focused on confiscating SIM box devices, which play a key role in these criminal operations. Initial figures show 73 suspects detained, including 51 Thai nationals and 22 foreigners. Reported damages exceed 1.4 billion baht, with seized assets worth 522 million baht.
Minister Chaichanok said that after the Prime Minister placed cybercrime on the national agenda, all agencies began meeting regularly and raised prevention and suppression standards to a more active level.
Global Cybercrime
Internationally, Thailand has represented the country at ASEAN and UNESCO meetings on digital platform legislation, where online scams were flagged as a growing regional threat.
On 25 October, the minister attended the UN Convention on Cybercrime signing ceremony and a high-level meeting in Hanoi, attended by 68 countries and the European Union. This highlights that technology-related crime is now a global priority that needs urgent cross-border cooperation. Cambodia also took part.
Pol Lt-General Jiraphop stated that once the government order came, police recognized the spread of online scams and call-centre crime as a worldwide problem. Since 1 October, structural changes and tighter coordination between agencies have been put in place.
Between 1 and 26 October, operations led to 73 arrests, made up of 51 Thais and 22 foreign nationals, with 1.4 billion baht in reported losses, 522 million baht in seized assets, and seven victims rescued.
He described this as strong progress and said operations will continue. Many groups include both Thai and foreign members. Police are also working with international partners, including the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, to track and arrest suspects tied to call-centre gangs.
Police Officer Linked to Scam Network
During the sweep, investigators found that a Deputy Superintendent of Investigation had helped open mule accounts used by a scam network. These accounts recorded transactions of more than 100 million baht. The officer was arrested and now faces prosecution.
Early reports show he was attached to a Bangkok Metropolitan Police Division 2 station near a key transport hub. During questioning, the officer denied owning the mule accounts and asked for bail, which investigators refused. He later applied through the court and was released pending trial.
Financial tracking related to the Phoenix Max scam network showed the suspect’s name listed under the title Mr. Cross-checks, with the civil registry and official databases confirming that he is a serving officer at the deputy superintendent level. The evidence was sent to the court, which issued an arrest warrant.
Pol Lt-General Jiraphop stressed that rank does not matter. Any official involved in cyber or technology-related crime will face prosecution without exception.
Tighter Border Security
Authorities have increased screening at border points, especially in the Mae Sot district, after 1,229 people arrived, including 32 Thais and 1,197 foreign nationals, believed to be linked to scam operations fleeing Myanmar. Thailand is now working with the relevant countries to obtain criminal and conviction records for background checks.
In the clampdown on online platforms, more than 2,754 URLs linked to fraud have been blocked. Police have also dismantled Sim-box hubs used by call-centre gangs, including raids in central Sa Kaeo and Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, where officers seized telecom equipment used to trick victims.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and telecom operators are working together to strengthen digital safeguards against these crimes. Authorities reported that public complaints about online crime, scams, and digital fraud now top 1,000 cases per day, with daily losses above 100 million baht.
The task force has set a six-month target to reduce new cases and deliver clear results in tackling technology-driven and call-centre crimes.
On the international front, the DES Ministry and the Royal Thai Police plan to set up a special joint coordination centre to invite foreign partners, especially across Asia, to share data and coordinate enforcement for stronger regional crackdowns.
Officials said this campaign is only the start of a sustained effort to dismantle scam networks, recover victims’ assets, and build public trust in Thailand’s digital security.
