On July 25, 2024, top police officials from Thailand and Cambodia announced a collaborative effort to dismantle call centre gangs that have been wreaking havoc through scams. The agreement was reached during a teleconference aimed at curbing the rise of cybercrime and protecting millions of affected individuals.
The meeting was spearheaded by Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Police General Torsak Sukvimol and Cambodia’s National Police Chief Sar Thet. They were joined by other senior officers in a conference at the Thai police headquarters. The Thai delegation included Deputy Commissioner Pol. Gen. Kitrat Phanphet, Assistant Commissioner-General Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabutr, and representatives from key agencies such as the Cyber-Crime Investigation Bureau, Immigration Bureau, Bank of Thailand, Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), and the Digital Economy and Social Development Ministry (MDES).
The bilateral initiative aligns with the policies of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. Both countries emphasized the need for a united front against the surge in online crimes. Thai authorities presented data highlighting the alarming increase in such activities and sought Cambodia’s support in targeting gangs operating within their territory.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to hold another session in Phnom Penh next week. Joint operations are expected to commence within two months, marking a significant step in the fight against cybercrime, as reported by The Nation.
In a related crackdown, cyber police arrested members of a call centre gang impersonating officials from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB). They defrauded a high-ranking female official from the Ministry of Justice of over 700,000 baht. Acting on a warrant from the Maha Sarakham Provincial Court, cyber police, under the direction of Vorawat Watnakornbancha, apprehended two individuals charged with public fraud, falsifying computer data, and money laundering.
Attendees of the teleconference included high-ranking officials from various Thai law enforcement and regulatory bodies, underscoring the extensive coordination involved in tackling this pervasive issue.
