Four Thai Nationals Arrested
Four Thai nationals, including three women, were arrested in Poipet, Cambodia, on Sunday for allegedly making scam calls that led to a man murdering his family in Samut Prakan province last month, according to a senior police officer. Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn reported that Thai and Cambodian authorities arrested Supol Wongwian (21), Nisarat Sukasem (22), Kanonkporn Kraisuk (19), and Kornkanok Singthit (19) in the neighboring country on Sunday.
Roles in the Scam Gang
Mr. Supol allegedly worked as a Thai supervisor, controlling Thai scammers, including the three Thai female suspects assigned to make scam calls for the gang. They were charged with public fraud, computer crime, and participation in a transnational crime gang. They will be later brought to Thailand for prosecution.
Seized Items and Arrests
During the arrests, authorities seized numerous mobile phones, ATM cards, bank books, and about 240,000 baht in cash. The four Thai nationals were among 30 suspected members of the call scam gang allegedly responsible for the murder of a woman and her two sons in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan on Aug 28. The murderer was her husband, who also tried to take his own life.
Background of the Tragedy
Officials reported that the man was indebted for several hundred thousand baht for guaranteeing a car hire purchase for another man. His wife then tried to help by planning to borrow a sum through a lending app that was actually a tool of the scam gang. She was then defrauded of about 1.7 million baht. The huge loss reportedly prompted the husband to murder his family.
Ongoing Investigation
Pol Gen Surachate said on Sunday that 30 suspected members of the scam gang have been identified, and 16 have been arrested so far. The suspects include 16 owners of bank accounts used to receive money from victims, four cash withdrawers, two people who compiled mule accounts, six call center scammers, and two Chinese call center supervisors who were still at large. Authorities are continuing to hunt for the remaining suspects.
