Thai cyber police arrest woman livestreaming illegal bingo game

Thai cyber police arrested a woman caught livestreaming an online bingo gambling session under the name Bingo Baan P’Joy – Pha Pang. The suspect confessed and was charged, with proceedings initiated yesterday.

The arrest took place following orders from Worawat Watnakornbancha, the Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), who directed Phumiphat Patarasriwongchai, the Commander of CCIB Division 5, to lead the operation. Accompanied by investigators, they executed a search warrant at a house in Moo 6, Na Tham Tai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Trang Province.

Investigations by the Cyber Guard team from CCIB Division 5 revealed that a Facebook account named Bingo Baan P’Joy – Pha Pang was involved in illegal gambling activities. The account was used to conduct livestreamed bingo games.

Upon arrival at the house, police found Pattharaporn, also known as Joy, livestreaming the bingo gambling session from within her home. The police presented the search warrant and discovered key evidence, including mobile phones and reservation charts for bingo numbers.

Pattharaporn admitted to organising the bingo gambling activities. Customers interested in playing were required to transfer money and then communicate via a LINE group chat named Bingo Baan Joy. This LINE account was used for both receiving and withdrawing money. The bingo sessions had been ongoing for approximately 10 days, taking place during her free time.

Pattharaporn handled all communications with players, recorded number reservations, managed the bingo ball draws, and maintained records of the drawn numbers. She also calculated winnings for players who guessed the correct numbers and processed payout requests, reported KhaoSod.

After her confession, Pattharaporn, along with the confiscated evidence, was taken to Khlong Teng Police Station. There, she faces charges under the legal provisions concerning unauthorised gambling activities, specifically for organising illegal bingo gambling.

In related news, police have shut down over 200 websites involved in Euro 2024 football-related gambling, with 2.4 billion baht in circulation, according to the police.