Thai police in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok successfully arrested two Chinese suspects involved in telecommunications fraud, aged 29 and 30, named Yi and Li respectively (transliterated). The police also seized assets worth nearly 19 million Thai Baht. Despite their claims of innocence, investigations revealed their involvement in multiple cross-border fraudulent activities.
According to Thai media on February 8, the Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, has ordered the National Police Chief, General Chakthip Chaijinda, and the Inspector General, Tatchai, to collaborate with Chinese police to expand the investigation into this case. Further investigations revealed:
- A secret crypto wallet containing about 2.5 million USDT (approximately 84 million Thai Baht);
- Chat records between the two suspects and a cross-border smuggling gang in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, involving arrangements for people to cross the border into neighboring countries;
- Details of their office locations and job positions in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, suspected to be the base of operations for the fraud group;
- Exposure of a company using fraudulent methods to sell products in Thailand, with key evidence found.
The Thai police stated that due to the case involving a transnational fraud gang and the severity of the crimes, the investigators are firmly against bail for the two suspects. Although Yi and Li submitted a 300,000 Thai Baht bail application, the court, after careful consideration, rejected the bail request and approved a 12-day detention for further investigation and evidence collection.
The court noted that there is a risk of the suspects fleeing and possibly interfering with the investigation, hence they must continue to be detained to ensure the smooth progress of the case.
