Thai police arrest 2 suspects in AI-powered call center scam ring
BANGKOK, THAILAND — Thai police have arrested two key suspects linked to a cross-border call center scam that defrauded victims of millions of baht.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) identified the suspects as Ramil Phanthawong, 31, and Thanawut Kanyaphan, 28. Ramil was apprehended in Sa Kaeo province, while Thanawut was detained in Chonburi.
Two suspects apprehended in multi-million scam
The arrests stemmed from a complaint by a victim who was coerced into transferring over 4 million baht (US$118,000) after being falsely accused of involvement in money laundering and drug-related crimes.
The scammers posed as police officers and used fake documents to instill fear. Investigators later uncovered 163 similar cases, leading to the issuance of arrest warrants for the suspects.
Call center gang operated from Cambodian border town
Authorities revealed that the call center gang operated out of an 18-story building in Poipet, Cambodia.
The gang, consisting of 50 members, worked from the 13th floor. Recruited via social media under false promises of legitimate work, the suspects had their passports and phones confiscated upon arrival and were forced into the operation.
AI technology used to deceive over 160 victims
The gang employed advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to alter their appearances during video calls, making it difficult for authorities to trace them. Victims were tricked into transferring money under the guise of clearing their names in fabricated legal cases.
The stolen funds were converted into digital assets and laundered into currencies like Thai baht and Vietnamese dong before being distributed among gang members.
Suspects reveal forced recruitment and gang operations
During interrogation, Ramil admitted to working as a “first-line agent,” contacting victims using scripts provided by Chinese bosses and a Thai supervisor.
Thanawut confessed to impersonating police officers on video calls, targeting notable figures in the country, such as Thai actress Charlotte Austin and beauty queen Anchilee Scott-Kemmis.
Both suspects claimed they were coerced into the operation under threats of violence.
Authorities expand investigation to identify masterminds
Pol Lt-General Jiraphop Phuridech emphasized the challenges posed by cross-border crimes and called for collaboration with foreign agencies to dismantle such networks.
The investigation is now focused on tracking down the masterminds behind the syndicate. Both suspects remain in custody as legal proceedings continue.
This crackdown highlights the growing sophistication of call center scams and underscores the need for international cooperation to combat such crimes effectively.
