Thai Police Arrest 15 in Cryptocurrency Scam Raid
Thai police arrested 15 suspects from Eastern Europe during a raid in Bangkok. The suspects operated a cryptocurrency investment scam out of a sealed, windowless room in a warehouse. Authorities seized computers, mobile phones, and scam scripts used to deceive victims.
The suspects included nine Azerbaijani, five Georgian, and one Ukrainian citizen. They ran a website promising high returns on fake cryptocurrency investments. Police detained all suspects at the scene and charged them with conspiracy and participation in a transnational criminal organization.
Details of the Raid in Bangkok
The raid took place late Friday night after local residents reported suspicious activity. The location was in the Bung Kum district, near Soi Nuanchan between Soi 36 and 38. Metropolitan Police officers found the suspects trying to flee the warehouse.
Police Commissioner Pol Lt Col Siam Boonsom confirmed the operation targeted an international scam hub. The evidence collected included internet routers and scam manuals used to contact victims. The suspects were taken to Khok Khram Police Station before court proceedings.
Rising Crypto Scams in Southeast Asia
This case highlights growing “boiler room” cryptocurrency scams across Southeast Asia. Such scams use online trading platforms to lure global investors with false promises. Recently, China’s ‘Cryptoqueen’ was sentenced for a similar bitcoin fraud worth over £5 billion.
International cooperation is critical since these scams often involve criminals and victims from various countries. Foreign nationals are frequently involved to target specific language markets. Thai authorities aim to expose the full criminal network and assess the financial damage to victims.
