Police crackdown on major gambling network in Isaan
Owners arrested and assets seized, with over 50 million in circulation
A significant crackdown on an online gambling network in southern Isaan resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals, including the website’s owner and his wife, today, May 5.
The operation involved over 80 officers from Police Division 3, targeting 14 locations across Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram, Nakhon Nayok, and Chon Buri provinces.
The operation led to the arrest of the website owner, individuals managing financial transactions, administrators, and gamblers. They face charges of organising online gambling, promoting gambling, money laundering, and conspiracy to launder money.
Assets seized included 23 vehicles, 49 land deeds, 46 luxury items, 5 pieces of gold, a firearm, 22 electronic devices, 30 bank books, 29 ATM cards, and 160 other related pieces of evidence, totalling 50 million baht.
The investigation revealed the network was previously dismantled in 2023 but resurfaced under a new name, offering a wide range of gambling services and laundering money through legitimate businesses like construction companies and car rental services.
Authorities focused on dismantling the network from the top down, eventually identifying the main figures as 53 year old Nithitawat and 30 year old Nawaporn. The online gambling website had been operating since 2022, frequently rebranding to avoid detection.
Financial investigations uncovered over 600 million baht in circulation within two years, with complex money management systems involving domestic bank accounts and e-wallets.
These accounts, linked to family or close associates, showed large short-term transactions with no balances remaining. Authorities tracked each financial transaction, gathering comprehensive evidence that led to the operation to dismantle the online gambling empire.
The investigation culminated in the arrest of Nithitawat, Nawaporn, and 11 others, including financial operatives and website administrators, with assets totalling over 50 million baht seized.
During questioning, Nithitawat, Nawaporn, and some associates admitted their involvement, although some financial operatives continued to deny the charges. The individuals were handed over to investigators from Police Division 3 for further legal proceedings, reported KhaoSod.
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