Bangkok – Thai police have arrested 13 foreign nationals, including Australians, Britons, a Canadian, and a South African, for allegedly operating a large-scale online investment scam that defrauded Australians of at least 1.9 million Australian dollars (about $1.2 million USD/₹10.02 crore INR).
The suspects were arrested during a police raid on a rented house in Samut Prakan province, just outside Bangkok. The house, converted into a makeshift office, was outfitted with whiteboards, multiple clocks showing Australian time zones, and partitioned desks labeled with workflow and scam scripts.
At a press conference in Bangkok, Jirabhob Bhuridej, Chief of Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau, said the operation targeted English-speaking victims, primarily in Australia. The scammers posed as representatives offering high-yield bond investments, using online ads and cold calls to lure victims.
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The investigation began last year after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) tipped off Thai authorities about the scam group, believed to be led by an Australian and a British national. The two had previously evaded arrest in Indonesia before resurfacing in Thailand.
Kristie-Lee Cressy, a senior AFP officer present at the press conference, revealed that over 14,000 Australians were targeted by this scam ring. “The group amassed at least 1.9 million AUD in a short period, money stolen from hard-working Australians,” she said, calling the takedown a “significant win” for both Thai and Australian communities.
The suspects had entered Thailand using a mix of visas, including those for retirement and education. They maintained a schedule aligned with Australian business hours, a detail that helped Thai police track their activity over several months.
Authorities seized computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices believed to have been used in the scam. The arrested individuals have denied all charges, claiming they believed they were working for a legitimate investment firm.
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The suspects are currently facing charges of racketeering and working illegally in Thailand. Thai officials indicated that more serious charges—including fraud and participation in a transnational organized crime network—are being considered as the investigation continues.
This bust comes amid growing concerns over the global expansion of scam operations based in Southeast Asia. According to a recent U.N. report, transnational criminal syndicates are adapting quickly in response to law enforcement pressure, relocating and evolving their tactics.
Australia alone has suffered $2.9 billion USD (₹2,421.5 crore INR) in scam-related losses over the past four years, highlighting the global impact of online fraud and the urgent need for cross-border cooperation in combating cybercrime.
As law enforcement in Thailand and Australia continue to build the case, further arrests and international extradition proceedings are expected in the coming months.