Thai authorities have dismantled a cross-border crypto fraud that allegedly scammed a local woman of over $620,000.
According to a local source, the network spanned Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar. It operated a highly organized scheme involving fraudulent online investment opportunities, identity theft, and the strategic laundering of funds across borders.
Investigations revealed that the criminals had meticulously structured their operations, assigning specialized roles within the group to ensure the smooth execution of the scam.
The suspects in the case allegedly used a fake investment chat group to lure victims, then moved conversations to private messaging apps where they could exert more control. In this case, the scammers targeted a Thai woman, identified as Ms. Mallika, through a public Facebook group labeled “Investor Chat Room,” claiming to offer high-yield financial advice.
The major people behind the operation were Mr. Moon, a Cambodian national, and Mr. Ko from Myanmar, who served as key handlers of the funds, coordinating with a Burmese businessman identified as Mr. Win, who used a front company in Thailand.
The scam involved various accomplices across multiple borders, each assigned specific roles in laundering the stolen funds.
Authorities believe the intention was to quickly resell the property to a third party in Myanmar to conceal the funds further.
According to the Immigration Department, the funds were pooled and transferred to Ms. San, a Burmese accomplice who consolidated the money and used it to purchase a luxury condominium in Bangkok’s Rama 9 district, valued at about 10 million baht (approximately $297K).
The Immigration Department subsequently transferred the detainees to Bang Rak Police Station, where further questioning revealed additional suspects, including another Burmese national currently under investigation.
With sufficient evidence, the Thai Immigration Department obtained arrest warrants from the South Bangkok Criminal Court and launched a coordinated operation to apprehend the suspects.