Recently, a large-scale raid targeting online gambling activities took place in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla Province, Thailand, where police dismantled an online gambling network hidden within a luxury apartment.
It is reported that the gambling network operated a website called LIGAZ88, which had a monthly turnover of 50 million Thai Baht (approximately 1.46 million US dollars). The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects, including a retired teacher over sixty years old.
Well-coordinated: Joint efforts to dismantle online gambling bases
The operation was led by the Songkhla Province's Department of Cybercrime. After receiving intelligence and tracking a series of financial transactions, the police were able to pinpoint three locations used by the gang. On December 25, during the raid, police simultaneously targeted these three locations, capturing the three main suspects—63-year-old Watsakan, 29-year-old Supawinee, and 27-year-old Warawut.
First raid: Retired teacher and money transfers
The first raid took place at Watsakan's residence in Khuan Lang, Hat Yai. Police found an ATM card belonging to a man named Anuwat, which was linked to illegal gambling fund transfers as a "mule account." The retired teacher Watsakan admitted she was responsible for withdrawing cash using this ATM card and transferring the funds to Saharat, the behind-the-scenes boss of the gambling network. She also confessed to renting a luxury apartment in downtown Hat Yai as the operational base for the gambling website.
Second raid: Mastermind and technical support appear
The second raid location was the residence of Supawinee and Warawut, not far from the first. In this house, police found a large amount of equipment used for operating the gambling website, including mobile phones, tablets, computers, bank passbooks, and ATM cards. A Mini Cooper with a fake license plate was also seized as evidence.
Supawinee admitted that she was initially introduced to this illegal industry by her boyfriend and later took on the role of website administrator, responsible for managing customer deposits, withdrawals, and employee salaries. She has been working in this role for five years, earning a monthly income of about 20,000 to 50,000 Thai Baht (approximately 585 to 1,460 US dollars). Warawut, the marketing manager of the website, revealed that he was responsible for online promotion and customer attraction, with an annual salary of only 15,000 Thai Baht (approximately 440 US dollars).
Third raid: Luxury apartment becomes gambling center
The final raid target was a luxury apartment in downtown Hat Yai, which served as the actual operation and promotion center for the gambling website. During the search, police found 12 high-performance computers, a large amount of peripheral equipment, unused SIM cards, and bank passbooks related to financial transactions. These devices and documents showed that the online gambling gang attracted a large number of gamblers through online slots, sports betting, and other forms of gambling, creating a vast system of money circulation.
Severe charges and potential dangers of illegal online gambling
All three suspects were charged with organizing illegal gambling activities, using online platforms to lure others into gambling, and illegally using other people's electronic bank accounts, among other charges. They, along with the seized items, have been handed over to the Hat Yai police for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Illegal online gambling not only severely violates the Thai Criminal Code of 2560 and related laws but also poses multiple dangers to society and the economy. The high profits from gambling websites are often linked to money laundering, financial crimes, and other illegal activities, posing a potential threat to public safety. Additionally, individuals involved in gambling often fall into economic hardship due to addiction, further leading to social issues.
Police call for public cooperation to combat online gambling
The Songkhla Police Department called on the public to remain vigilant and actively report similar illegal activities during a press conference, while also reminding people to avoid participating in online gambling to prevent legal violations and financial losses. The success of this operation not only demonstrates the Thai government's determination to combat cybercrime but also shows the continuous improvement in investigative techniques for technological crimes.
In the future, the police will continue to intensify efforts to track down online gambling activities, especially in terms of technical means and international cooperation, to more effectively curb the spread of such crimes. Public support and cooperation will be key forces in completely eliminating illegal gambling networks.
