CHIANG MAI – Cyber police in Northern Thailand have arrested six suspects linked to illegal gambling networks. The Cyber Crime Suppression Division Region 5 launched a series of raids across Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces. Officers targeted local online influencers who used their large social media followings to promote illegal betting websites.
According to regional police reports, the operation targeted influencers on platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook. The suspects allegedly lured their followers into sports betting, online lotteries, and digital casino games. Authorities revealed that some suspects also created explicit adult content to generate extra income from private member groups.
Key Takeaways
- Massive Followings Exploited: One of the arrested influencers managed an adult account on X with over 3 million followers. She earned approximately 50,000 baht per month just for posting gambling links.
- Adult Content Combined with Betting: Multiple suspects operated private online groups. They charged users monthly fees to view explicit materials while simultaneously promoting illegal digital casino platforms.
- Cross-Province Police Operation: The Cyber Crime Suppression Division conducted coordinated raids across Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces. They successfully arrested six suspects, including account owners and website administrators.
The first police raid took place at a residential property in the Mueang district of Lamphun province. Officers arrested a 24-year-old woman identified as Ms. Tharatip, who operates a massive social media account under the alias “Namii.” Her profile boasted more than three million followers, where she regularly shared Japanese anime cosplay and adult content.
During police interrogation, Ms. Tharatip admitted to publishing promotional links for an online gambling website called mvp456day. She stated that an unknown individual hired her through a messaging application under the username “YuWeDa99.” The influencer received a monthly payment of 50,000 baht for running the illegal advertisements.
Police also arrested two young men at the same location, identified as Mr. Sorapong and Mr. Ben. The two men worked as digital administrators for another gambling portal named Vagabets. Their daily responsibilities involved managing customer relations and handling registration inquiries through private messaging channels.
Secret Adult Content Groups Uncovered
The second major operation occurred in the Ban Hong district of Lamphun province. Cyber investigators arrested a 40-year-old man named Mr. Nat, who operated an X profile with over 80,000 followers. Investigators found that his account heavily promoted an illegal gambling network called Perfects123.
Beyond gambling promotion, the suspect also ran four private online chat groups containing explicit videos of himself. He charged members a subscription fee of 300 baht per month to access the explicit media database. Mr. Nat admitted he received an additional 6,000 baht monthly stipend purely for advertising the digital casino.
Authorities immediately charged the suspect with advertising unauthorized gambling platforms and distributing obscene materials for commercial gain. Under Thai computer crime laws, transmitting explicit content into public computer systems carries heavy legal penalties and potential prison time.
Police Expand Search
The enforcement operations quickly expanded to other northern districts to catch remaining network members. In the Pa Sang district of Lamphun, police officers apprehended a 24-year-old Instagram influencer known online as Mr. Karn. His account had over 100,000 followers and frequently displayed advertising banners for a betting portal named Winsiam88.
Shortly after, a separate police unit raided a home in the San Pa Tong district of Chiang Mai province. They detained a 29-year-old woman named Ms. Tubtim, who promoted a digital gambling site called angie88 to her Facebook followers. During processing, the suspect claimed she received small payments of just 200 baht for every three days of posting.
According to the official statements from the MGR Online news report, the recent operation is part of a nationwide crackdown. The timing aligns with major international sports events, including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches. Police have noticed a significant surge in illegal football betting advertisements across Thai social media networks during these tournaments.
Regional cybercrime divisions are currently tracing the financial paths of the seized electronic devices. Investigators want to identify the primary organizers who operate these unauthorized betting networks from outside the country. Thai authorities urge social media users to report any suspicious profiles promoting illegal digital casinos to the police.
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