Six arrested for operating illegal gambling sites linked to Cambodia

Authorities have arrested six individuals in connection with two illegal gambling websites, believed to be linked to a criminal organisation in Cambodia.

The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) commissioner, Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakhonbancha, confirmed the arrests following an investigation into the websites mm.safa555.com and safa55game.com, which were actively promoting online gambling.

According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Worawat, both websites have around 10,000 members, with approximately 10 million baht flowing through them each month. After gathering sufficient evidence, CCIB investigators sought arrest warrants for 12 individuals from the Criminal Court. On Saturday, officers conducted raids at four locations in Lopburi and Nonthaburi, resulting in the apprehension of six suspects.

Five of the suspects, identified as 34 year old Thienchai, 26 year old Wechpisit, 27 year old Chitrapat, 27 year old Thitapa, and Chaturaphat, also 27, were arrested at a luxury house in Nonthaburi. Investigators indicated that these individuals were responsible for managing bets. Meanwhile, 36 year old Yuranan was detained at a house in Lopburi’s Phatthana Nikhom district, where he was overseeing local bets.

During the operation, police seized assets valued at over 60 million baht. Confiscated items included five computers, six firearms with 184 rounds of ammunition, four cars, foreign currencies worth 480,000 baht, 5.67 million baht in cash, gold bars and various pieces of jewellery valued at over 3 million baht, 29 brand-name bags, six luxury watches, title deeds for a house and 12 condominiums, along with eight bank books, 13 debit cards, and 19 mobile phones.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Worawat noted that the CCIB’s preliminary investigation revealed that the gang involved family members and close friends in Lopburi to conceal and launder proceeds from the gambling sites. Some of these individuals are well-known and have connections to local politicians. Evidence of money transfers between these people was uncovered by the police.

Money laundering

The proceeds were also allegedly laundered through an Art Toy store in Phatthana Nikhom district, which sells high-end dolls, including the limited edition Molly dolls, each costing between 40,000 and 50,000 baht.

Pol. Lt. Col. Rojsak Naiphongsri, deputy chief of Cyber Crime Investigation Division 3, stated that the gang began operating the sites more than a decade ago after obtaining the rights from a criminal gang in Cambodia.

The six arrested individuals face charges for operating a gambling site, promoting gambling on their websites, and money laundering, reported Bangkok Post.

Police plan to expand the investigation to determine whether additional individuals are involved in the illegal gambling operation.