Thai police crackdown on major online gambling network

Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Bureau police have announced the successful crackdown on a major illegal online gambling network, with more than 200,000 gamblers registered as members. They also seized assets worth about THB320 million THB ($8.9 million).

Four suspects, including the ring's manager and financial officials, were arrested following coordinated raids on 12 locations in Bangkok, mostly luxurious housing units and condominiums in the Phahonyothin, Asoke, Sukhumvit, Lat Phrao and Pathumwan areas.

The assets seized include seven luxury cars, worth over THB40 million ($1.12 million), THB23 million ($641,910) in bank deposits, THB14 million ($390,728) in gold ornaments, Buddha amulets worth THB75 million ($2.09 million), brand name products worth about THB50 million ($1.4 million), and real estate valued at THB127 million ($3.54 million).

Police claimed that the gambling network, called “fullplays39”, had a monthly cash flow estimated at THB480 million ($13.4 million).

Warrants have been issued for the arrests of 16 individuals, mostly people who agreed to open “mule” bank accounts for the racket. Only four have been arrested so far.