Thai police have dismantled a telecommunication fraud call center targeting Japanese citizens, arresting 5 individuals involved. This fraud gang was accused of operating from a villa in Pattaya, scamming elderly Japanese through internet calls, with daily fraud amounts reaching 5 million Thai Baht (approximately 24 million Japanese Yen).
The successful operation was supported by intelligence provided by the Japanese Embassy.
According to the investigation by the Thai Immigration Police, the gang used the pretext of "refunding past medical expenses" to conduct phone scams targeting elderly Japanese. They posed as medical insurance refund agents, asking victims to pay a "processing fee" of at least 500,000 Japanese Yen (about 1.1 million Thai Baht), thereby gaining the victims' trust and securing substantial illegal profits.
The victims were mostly elderly people who trusted official identities and had limited mobility, making them easy targets for such scams.
The police raided two luxurious pool villas in Pattaya and arrested five suspects: Ukai Takayuki, Hatakana Hajime, Kenjiro Kimura, Takahiro Inoue, and Katsuhito Yamaguchi.
In the first raid, the police seized 42 mobile phones, several tablets, detailed scam scripts, and phone recordings. It is reported that Takayuki and Hajime were the main planners of the scam operation, responsible for coordinating and managing the entire operation.
In a second raid, the police further discovered 37 mobile phones, more scam scripts, and a detailed database of victims. These evidences showed that the scam gang was well-organized and systematic in their operations.
They impersonated government officials or medical insurance personnel, contacted potential victims by phone, and used scripted dialogues to guide victims into paying fictitious fees. The suspects even prepared forged official documents and IDs to enhance the credibility of their scam.
Shockingly, the investigation revealed that the scam gang had direct connections with the Japanese mafia. This not only highlights the complexity of the case but also exposes a new trend of gangs using transnational networks to commit economic crimes.
According to the police, the proceeds from the scam were laundered through legally registered businesses in Thailand, then transferred to multiple accounts. This operation significantly increased the difficulty of the investigation and posed new challenges to law enforcement agencies.
The daily fraud amount of 24 million Japanese Yen underscores the harmfulness of international scam networks. This scam gang not only caused significant financial losses to the elderly but also potentially long-term impacts on the victims' mental health and life. Some victims fell into financial difficulties and even severe psychological distress due to being scammed.
The Thai police stated that this arrest operation was a significant breakthrough in dismantling the scam gang, but the investigation is still ongoing. They are further tracking other members of the gang, as well as businesses and individuals involved in the laundering scheme.
It is reported that these five suspects will be extradited to Japan for trial, and the close cooperation between Thai and Japanese police was key to the success of this operation.
The Japanese Embassy in Thailand expressed gratitude and warned the public to be vigilant, especially the elderly. Scammers often exploit the trust of the elderly through carefully crafted dialogues to lure them into traps.
The Japanese police also urged families to maintain close contact with elderly relatives to help them identify potential scams and prevent similar incidents from happening again.
This case also reflects the increasing prevalence of international scam crimes, particularly economic crimes targeting the elderly. Globally, the elderly have become the main target group for phone scams and internet fraud. The police remind the public to remain vigilant against unfamiliar financial requests over the phone, and any money transfer requests should be thoroughly verified.
The Thai police stated that they will continue to deepen the investigation to ensure all criminals involved are brought to justice and to strengthen cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to combat transnational scam networks.
This case is not only a major breakthrough but also provides important references for combating such crimes globally, reminding governments and societies to enhance protection for the elderly and jointly guard against the threat of international economic crimes.
