Samut Prakarn police dismantle major online lottery ring
Law enforcement officers in Samut Prakarn province made a significant bust, apprehending two individuals suspected of operating a substantial online lottery business. The men, 42 year old Boonreum and 48 year old Baworn, were arrested at a residence in the Bang Bo district, where evidence of extensive gambling operations, including Thai, Laos, and underground lotteries, was uncovered.
The raid, carried out today, followed an investigation into an online enterprise known as Wealthy Home, which had been actively recruiting team leaders and agents through social media platforms like Facebook. The incentives to join included special benefits like birthday bonuses and a commission system designed to attract and maintain a wide network of lottery ticket sellers.
Police discovered promotional materials for upcoming lottery draws on April 16 and May 2, along with an extensive array of paraphernalia, including 19,500 lottery tickets, 100 notebooks filled with lottery entries, two notebooks for tracking illegal lottery operations, cash totalling 600,000 baht (US$16,000), four mobile phones, and two laptops.
Based on the preliminary investigation, Boonreum confessed to having run the lucrative online lottery scheme for over a year. She admitted to printing 10,000 lottery tickets per draw and distributing them through a network of agents nationwide.
The police’s Cyber Task Force is now expanding the investigation to include all individuals connected to the illegal operation. The initial findings revealed that the bank accounts associated with the suspects had transactions amounting to 13.4 million baht (US$366,000) and that approximately 200 agents were involved in disseminating the lottery tickets.
Police are taking this crackdown seriously, as part of a broader effort led by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau to eliminate all forms of online gambling, in line with national policies. This incident serves as a stern warning to those tempted by the allure of quick fortune through illegal betting – both operators and participants face legal repercussions, reported KhaoSod.
The police have charged the individuals with organising and promoting illegal gambling activities without a permit. The suspects, along with the seized items, were taken to the Bang Phli police station for further legal proceedings.
