BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai police detained 16 suspected cyber criminals in a luxury condominium in the Rama 9 area, including an internationally wanted Taiwanese man.
Night raid on luxury condominium
On 27 November, a special unit of police and immigration officers raided the condominium in Bangkok’s Rama 9 district.
“We had concrete information about suspicious activities,”
said an operation leader. The officers found 15 Chinese nationals and one Taiwanese citizen gathered in a single apartment in the middle of the night, and the arrests proceeded without incident.
Illegal entry traced to Myanmar scam networks
Investigations showed that 12 Chinese nationals had entered Thailand illegally.
“They fled from Myanmar and came into Thailand via Tak province,”
said a police spokesperson. Another Chinese national had overstayed his visa, while only three held valid prestige visas, and the trail led back to scam networks in Myanmar.
Taiwanese suspect sought for multiple offences
The arrested Taiwanese man was wanted in Taiwan under three arrest warrants for drug trafficking, fraud and money laundering.
“He admitted to having worked for fraudsters,”
said an investigator. The IT specialist was allegedly tasked with carrying out romance scams and investment fraud, with payment of 50,000 Taiwan dollars (about 1,450 euros) promised for two money-laundering accounts.
Flight route from Myanmar into Thailand
Police Colonel Prasopchok Iampinit, head of Huai Khwang Police Station, confirmed the wider network links.
“Several suspects worked for fraud networks in Myanmar,”
said Prasopchok. After border controls were tightened, they fled to Thailand, with the Taiwanese man and his associates reportedly slipping into the condo at about 4 a.m., in a unit rented by a Chinese woman for an alleged one-year stay.
Mystery over the tenant’s role
The tenant, a Chinese woman, claimed she knew only her boyfriend and two friends who were present.
“She denies knowing the rest of the group,”
said the officers. Police remained doubtful and began examining a car believed to have transported the group, while also focusing on possible Thai accomplices.
Charges and evidence review
Eleven Chinese nationals and the Taiwanese suspect were charged with illegal entry. Another Chinese man faced charges for overstaying his visa. All mobile phones used by the group – including eight devices found in the luggage of a single suspect – were being analysed as part of intensive evidence collection.
Extradition to Taiwan planned
After immigration procedures, the Taiwanese suspect was to be handed over to authorities in his home country.
“We are coordinating the transfer with Taiwan,”
confirmed the police. According to investigators, international cooperation was functioning and the attempted escape of the alleged criminals had been foiled.