Thailand targets 4,000 LINE accounts in illegal gambling crackdown

Thai police are cracking down on illegal online gambling, targeting over 4,000 official LINE accounts linked to such activities. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) announced that users of these accounts face criminal punishment.

The ministry requested the operator of Thailand’s most popular chat app, LINE, with its 54 million users, to shut down these accounts. This move follows online surveillance conducted by the police and LINE Thailand from February 24 to August 9.

The primary goal of this crackdown is to prevent gamblers from using the platform to promote links to illegal online gambling websites.

Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong stated that the LINE app is ideal for gambling website owners to reach their target audience.

“Aside from illegal online gambling, many official LINE accounts have also been exploited by other criminal groups, such as online scammers, to reach their prospective victims.”

Out of the 4,136 accounts identified, 2,532 contained short videos advertising gambling websites. The remaining accounts were used as access points to these sites.

Prasert emphasised that these official accounts are the main communication channels between gambling organisers and their clients.

He also warned the public sternly to avoid involvement in illegal gambling and online scamming activities, whether directly or indirectly, reported Bangkok Post.

Gamblers face severe penalties, including a maximum of three years in prison and/or a fine of up to 5,000 baht.

In related news, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) apprehended a key figure in an online gambling network after he evaded capture for over a year. The arrest took place yesterday, with the suspect facing charges of promoting illegal gambling and money laundering.

In other news, cyber police apprehended a 39 year old man from Khao Chaison suspected of operating an online bullfighting gambling website. He confessed to being the administrator of a Line group, setting betting odds and streaming matches for group members.