Bangkok, 7th Comprehensive Report: Thai law enforcement authorities have successfully apprehended a foreign gang operating illegal online casinos and engaging in passport forgery. The group had rented a luxurious villa in the Samut Prakan Province of Thailand as a cover for their illicit activities. Acting on a tip-off, the Immigration Bureau swiftly mobilized a police operation, resulting in the arrest of 17 foreigners involved in the criminal operation.
During the raid, a significant amount of stolen goods was seized, and it was discovered that the funds behind the online casinos were of Chinese origin. The gang had recently relocated from a neighboring country to Thailand, and authorities are currently expanding their investigation into their operations.
In the early hours of the 6th, Immigration Bureau officers, armed with a court search warrant, led a team of police personnel in raiding three villas located in the Bang Phli area. The raid revealed a group of Vietnamese individuals, both men and women, operating as employees of the online casinos. The financial transactions associated with these online casinos were linked to Chinese sources.
Aside from confiscating 12 computers, the police discovered additional Vietnamese nationals in two adjacent villas. The authorities also uncovered equipment used for forging passports, counterfeit stamps from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Immigration Bureau, Cambodia, and Myanmar, as well as a considerable amount of smuggled goods, including cigarettes. Consequently, all suspects were taken to the police station for further questioning.
Initial charges have been filed against 12 Vietnamese individuals for directly or indirectly facilitating participation in gambling, while four others face charges for possessing counterfeit immigration officer seals and passports belonging to other persons. Additionally, one Vietnamese individual has been charged with smuggling foreign cigarettes.
This operation was initiated after the Immigration Bureau’s investigation department received intelligence about a group of foreigners renting luxury villas to run online casinos and engage in passport forgery, with turnover reaching tens of millions of baht. The targeted villas were closely monitored and investigated until sufficient evidence was gathered to obtain a search warrant from the court. Subsequently, more than 10 foreign suspects were apprehended, and a significant amount of stolen goods was confiscated.
Further investigation by immigration police revealed that the Vietnamese employees were managing an online gambling website with the URL https://inkbio.me/luiscongviec, and a Chinese investor was identified as the mastermind behind the operation. Instructions from the investor were communicated through Facebook, with the gang members instructed to log out of their accounts immediately after placing orders. The gang had recently relocated to Thailand from a neighboring country, establishing their base in the villa for over a month.
Regarding passports, it was discovered that all the individuals arrested were using passports with counterfeit stamps. The location had also served as a hub for forging passports and visa stamps. The police have since transported all stolen goods and individuals involved to the Bang Phli Police Station to initiate legal proceedings.
During the arrests, the gang members were found working diligently in front of their computers. They had created multiple fake Facebook accounts to entice individuals into working for them or promoting products online. Once someone expressed interest, the suspects would redirect them to an online gambling website and gradually deceive them into registering and participating in online gambling activities.
The Thai authorities remain committed to combatting such criminal operations, ensuring the safety and integrity of the country’s borders, and protecting individuals from falling victim to illicit online gambling activities.
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