DSI Raids 15 Online Gambling Dens Simultaneously, Arrests Masterminds and Network, Uncovers Over 100,000 Player Accounts, with over 2 Billion Baht in circulation

DSI Raids 15 Online Gambling Dens Simultaneously, Arrests Masterminds and Network, Uncovers Over 100,000 Player Accounts, with over 2 Billion Baht in circulation 

       On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, Police Major Yuthana Praedam, Acting Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Police Lieutenant Colonel Phayao Thongsen, Deputy Director-General of the DSI, and Mr. Khemchart Prakaihongmanee, Director of the Technology and Cyber Crime Bureau, led a team of over 200 DSI officers, together with the Department of Provincial Administration and the Central Institute of Forensic Science, to execute search warrants at 15 locations across the Central Region of Thailand in connection with online gambling websites. The raids were conducted simultaneously in Nonthaburi Province (5 locations), Lopburi Province (8 locations), and Nakhon Sawan Province (2 locations). The operation aimed to arrest suspects with warrants, search for evidence, and seize assets.

       This case is part of Special Case No. 76/2566, which involves a criminal group that gained access to bank accounts of others without their consent through mobile banking applications and/or internet banking to commit offenses by advertising or enticing others to gamble online, making online gambling accessible to the general public. The investigation revealed that the group jointly organized gambling games for money, organized online and electronic gambling through the websites www.sandvip.com, www.sand168.com, www.gts89.com, and www.gtb89.com illegally. After obtaining money from gamblers, the group transferred the money out of the system to various accounts belonging to their subordinates or close associates, as well as hired or purchased accounts (mule accounts). They then transferred the money to multiple bank accounts in an attempt to evade scrutiny by government agencies or conceal the financial trail. The money was then withdrawn from the system using ATM cards, the bank accounts and the suspects themselves in this case. The individuals involved  include the owners/financiers of the websites, the website administrators/members (Admin team), the financial administrators/bank account owners used to receive money in the network of the gambling websites www.sandvip.com (changed to www.gtb89.com), www.sand168.com (changed to www.gts89.com), and other websites in the network. These individuals have been jointly operating this illegal business for several years without fear of the law.

       The DSI's investigation found that the online gambling network has a total of 6 websites in its network, plus several other websites, with a total of over 2 billion baht in circulation. It is a large-scale operation with over 100,000 gambling members, dozens of admin staff, and the use of dozens of mule accounts to receive transfers, including even using the accounts of deceased persons. As the online gambling website has financial trails linked to many other accounts, the DSI will prepare to expand the investigation into money laundering charges against those involved and the gamblers.

       Police Major Yuthana Praedam revealed that today's operation was a joint effort with the Department of Provincial Administration and the Central Institute of Forensic Science to execute search warrants and arrest 38 suspects with warrants. This includes 9 financiers and 6 subordinates and close associates who played key roles in operating the large-scale online gambling and money laundering networks. The suspects are charged with jointly accessing a computer system with security measures specifically designed to prevent access and not intended for them, and jointly organizing or devising a scheme to advertise, entice, or encourage directly or indirectly others to gamble or participate in gambling that is not authorized by the authorities, and jointly laundering money.

       In this operation, 13 key members of the large-scale online gambling and money laundering network were arrested, cutting off the financial lifeline of this large criminal organization. The DSI will continue to track down and arrest the remaining suspects. As for the assets seized during the search, they include 17 vehicles (2 Ferraris, 1 RV), 5 motorcycles, approximately 25 brand-name bags, cash and foreign currency worth approximately 3 million baht, gold jewelry weighing a total of over 1,000 baht, amulets, jewelry, watches (Patek Philippe, Franck Muller, Rolex), safes, computer equipment, mobile phones, bank account books. In addition, bank accounts at Siam Commercial Bank, Kasikorn Bank, TrueMoney, firearms, and ammunition were frozen, with a total asset value of tens of millions of baht.

       The DSI will continue to investigate and expand the case against those involved and will decisively seize and freeze the assets of this criminal network. The DSI will submit the assets to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) so that the assets can be forfeited. If it is found that the offenders have not paid taxes in accordance with the law, the matter will be referred to the Revenue Department for further tax action.