The Thai Immigration Bureau successfully arrested Mr. Zheng (33 years old) in a luxury apartment in Pattaya, who has been wanted by the South Korean police for his involvement in large-scale illegal gambling and fraud activities.
This arrest not only uncovered the complex criminal network background of Mr. Zheng but also exposed his escape route from the Philippines to Thailand in an attempt to evade legal sanctions.
From the Philippines to Thailand, the dream of refuge shattered
Mr. Zheng had previously been active in the Philippines, suspected of participating in telecommunications fraud and other illegal activities. Due to the recent tightening of visa policies by the Philippine government and the increased efforts to combat cybercrime, Mr. Zheng could no longer stay in the Philippines and chose to go to Thailand, hoping to use Thailand as a "safe haven" to continue his illegal activities.
However, Mr. Zheng clearly underestimated the Thai police's recent crackdown on transnational crime.
According to the police, after entering Thailand, Mr. Zheng hid in a high-end apartment in Pattaya, trying to cover up his illegal background with a luxurious lifestyle.
He held a South Korean passport and a Vanuatu passport and used forged identity documents to hide his tracks. However, his activities were eventually tracked by the police, and the close sharing of international intelligence was key to his capture.
The involved criminal network and financial chain
Mr. Zheng was connected to several large illegal gambling networks, including Top Plus Bet (top-911.com), B-Plus, Dynamisty, and Togenot, which have been operating illegally in South Korea for over five years.
These gambling sites laundered money through more than 80 bank accounts, with a total transaction amount of 592.6 billion Korean won, approximately 15 billion Thai baht (438 million USD).
Mr. Zheng played a significant role in these networks, not only managing the user database and distributing funds but also proficiently handling various communication and technical devices, demonstrating high technical skills. However, these skills were not used for good but rather as a tool to facilitate illegal activities.
Discoveries during the raid
When the police raided the Pattaya apartment, they seized a series of items including computers, mobile phones, SIM cards, network equipment, and other electronic devices used to support Mr. Zheng's criminal activities.
The police also found that he held an expired Thai visa, confirming his illegal stay. Further investigations revealed that Mr. Zheng had rented multiple high-end properties in Thailand, indicating that he had long considered Thailand as a long-term refuge.
The Thai police's strict crackdown
In recent years, the Thai police have intensified their crackdown on transnational crime, and this operation is a reflection of that policy. The police stated that transnational criminals should not regard Thailand as a haven for crime, and Thailand is actively strengthening cooperation with the international community to combat cybercrime, illegal gambling, and money laundering.
Mr. Zheng is currently detained by the Thai police and will be deported after completing the relevant legal procedures, to be handed over to the South Korean police. According to the South Korean police, Mr. Zheng's gambling network not only involved money laundering but also attracted a large number of users through fraudulent means, severely disrupting social order.
The significance of Thailand's international cooperation
This arrest operation shows that Thailand's close cooperation with the international community in combating transnational crime is having a significant impact. The police emphasize that Thailand will not tolerate any form of cybercrime, and no matter how criminals try to hide, they cannot escape legal sanctions.
Mr. Zheng's case once again warns people that if technology and talent are misused, they will become tools for evil, and the ultimate result is the inability to escape the pursuit of justice. The Thai police also call on society to strengthen vigilance against transnational crime and jointly maintain a safe social environment.
