Recently, Thailand's cybercrime police cracked down on an illegal online gambling network in Bangkok, arresting a Taiwanese leader and detaining over 20 administrators.
The network, masquerading as an NFT trading website, actually provided online gambling services, including slot machines, live casinos, sports betting, and poker. Officials estimate that the network's annual financial turnover exceeded 500 million Thai Baht.
This operation is an important part of the nationwide effort to combat illegal online gambling activities. The police conducted raids at four locations in Bangkok, capturing three suspects who were already under arrest warrants. The detained administrators are being interrogated to uncover more key figures, and more arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.
In related news, the Jagat application has been declared illegal by the Provincial Administrative Organization, as it was categorized as gambling activity. Trirong Phiwphan, the director of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, stated that they are working closely with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to block the use of this application.
The Jagat application initially became widely popular in public places in five provinces including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Chonburi (Pattaya), where users exchanged participation in activities for money. However, this led to chaotic scenes with users frantically searching for virtual currency, causing damage, property loss, and even break-in incidents.
Reports indicate that individuals climbed over fences, broke into fire extinguisher cabinets, and damaged red mailboxes in search of rewards. These reckless actions prompted the police to issue warnings, reminding people that participating in such activities could lead to charges of property intrusion.
Considering public safety and legality issues, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau confirmed with the Provincial Administrative Organization that Jagat constitutes gambling behavior and cannot be legally operated. The police have now taken decisive measures to prevent the application from continuing to cause social disturbances.
