Bangkok: Police reveal that the situation of call center gangs in neighboring countries is still worrying, and have announced a new strategy, “I2LAI,” to join forces with the international community to suppress them, aiming to see results within 3 months, and to urgently hunt down the “Kok An” network.
According to Thai News Agency, today at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabut, Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police, as Director of the Technology Crime Suppression Center, Royal Thai Police Headquarters (TCSD), and Head of the UNODC Task Force Against Call Center Crime and Human Trafficking, unveiled the situation of call center gangs that are still active in neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. These gangs use Thailand as a strategic point for traveling through to illegally cross the border to work or deceive both Thais and foreigners to work in these gangs.
Pol. Gen. Thatchai stated that measures to cut off electricity, internet, and oil in Myanmar have led to a major crackdown on call center gangs in Shwe Kokko and KK Park townships, uncovering victims from 36 nationalities totaling 8,893. However, some call center gangs are still hiding in the southern part of Myawaddy township.
In Cambodia, there has been a significant expansion of call center gangs, reaching 52 locations in 10 provinces, especially in the Poipet area and along the border with Vietnam. Most of these operations are managed by Chinese people and protected by influential figures in the area. Concurrently, some call center gangs have moved from Cambodia into Thailand to deceive foreigners such as Australians, Vietnamese, Koreans, and Chinese, which Thai authorities have been able to crack down on and arrest.
The Royal Thai Police’s Anti-Corruption Division (ACD), in collaboration with Task Force 88 and UNODC, has initiated a strategy to “Unite the World Community to Suppress Call Center Gangs and Human Trafficking” under the concept of “I2L AI,” which comprises five main areas of focus. These include destroying infrastructure by cutting off power and internet, blocking trafficking networks, enforcing laws and seizing assets, using AI for prevention and control, and joining forces with the global community to establish a center for emergency management of call center gangs and human trafficking at the Royal Thai Police Office.
Pol. Gen. Thachatchai also addressed the progress in prosecuting the ‘Kok An’ network. From the search of 20 locations in three provinces (Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Chonburi), authorities seized 27 million baht in cash, luxury cars, and important documents, totaling over 1,100 million baht in assets. Arrest warrants are being prepared for all involved parties, and steps are being taken to seize additional assets both domestically and internationally.
Pol. Gen. Thatchai confirmed that the Thai police have clear evidence, including from the FBI, to support the issuance of court warrants. Kok An is believed to own several buildings related to the call center gang. Currently, he has not been found in Thailand, and coordination with INTERPOL is ongoing to issue a red notice and track him down. The investigation into any involvement of Thai officials or Kok An’s relationships with politicians in Thailand is still underway.
Additionally, for Huiwan, a cryptocurrency exchange used by the call center gang, Pol. Gen. Thatchai noted that the United States has blacklisted the company for money laundering activities, which is significant information for the Thai police case.
Discussions with INTERPOL earlier this month resulted in a joint strategy involving 196 member countries to tackle the issue, and Pol. Gen. Thachchai expressed confidence that Cambodian authorities are also keen on a crackdown, with social pressure playing a key role in driving change.
Finally, Pol. Gen. Thatchai emphasized the need to address the fundamental factors that facilitate Thai citizens being deceived by call center gangs, requiring cooperation from the Thai public.