Group of individuals of Korean-Chinese descent, suspected of being involved in an illicit call center operation, apprehended in the vicinity of Pattaya.
In a significant breakthrough, a Korean-Chinese call centre scam gang was arrested near Pattaya, dismantling a major cross-border fraud network. The arrest followed an urgent plea from a Korean father who reported that his son, Mr. Hyunsub An, was being forced to work under duress and was physically assaulted[1][2].
The raid was carried out by Pattaya tourist police, Immigration police, Interpol, and officials from the South Korean Embassy in the Huai Yai and Na Jomtien areas of Chonburi province[3][4]. The operation targeted two residences and a commercial building used as the gang's base, seizing 17 computers, 15 phones, and internet routers used to run the call centre[1][3].
The call centre was located in the Patta Element housing estate in tambon Takhian Tia of Bang Lamung district, but no traces of business activity were found at the houses. A three-storey commercial building nearby was found to house a fully operational call centre, with a "Pattaya Car Rental" sign concealing its true purpose[1].
Eight suspects—six South Korean men, one South Korean woman, and one Chinese man—were arrested during the raid[1][3][4]. The suspects included Lee Damsik, 24, Ye Joon Mo, 33, Lee Sungeun, 34, Park Soonbum, 26, Lim Jindong, 31, Park Sangwoo, 21, Ms Lee Jiyoung, 25, and Tian Linhao, 23[2]. All suspects confessed to running the fraudulent call centre and are now in immigration custody awaiting deportation and further legal proceedings[1].
The victim, Mr. An, was found in a severely battered condition, with head injuries, bruises across his body, and ligature marks on his neck[1]. After the rescue, it was discovered that the call centre had two floors converted into office spaces, where a group of Chinese and South Korean nationals were actively working in front of computers[1]. The victim had been assaulted during a dispute related to the fraud operation, highlighting growing violence and rivalry within these criminal gangs in the Pattaya region[1][2].
The call centre's operation was shrouded in secrecy, with the building having opaque window film to prevent outsiders from seeing inside[1]. The suspects, under false pretenses, lured Mr. An to Thailand and forced him to work in the scam call centre. When he refused to comply, he was repeatedly assaulted[1].
Authorities believe that parts of the gang had fled before the raid, as some equipment had already been removed[1]. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests may be made. The cooperation between the South Korean Embassy, Thai Tourist Police, and Chonburi Immigration is commendable in ensuring the safety and justice for victims of such crimes.
[1] Thai PBS World (2021). Korean-Chinese call centre gang arrested in Pattaya. [online] Available at: https://www.thaipublicbroadcasting.tv/world/news/2021-08-05/korean-chinese-call-centre-gang-arrested-in-pattaya
[2] Bangkok Post (2021). Eight arrested in Pattaya call centre scam operation. [online] Available at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2006449/eight-arrested-in-pattaya-call-centre-scam-operation
[3] Nation Thailand (2021). South Korean man rescued in Pattaya after being held captive, assaulted. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30401964
[4] The Phuket News (2021). Korean-Chinese call centre gang arrested in Pattaya. [online] Available at: https://www.thephuketnews.com/korean-chinese-call-centre-gang-arrested-in-pattaya-67623.php
The cooperation between the South Korean Embassy, Thai Tourist Police, and Chonburi Immigration is commendable as they continue their investigation into the Korean-Chinese call centre scam, which also falls under the purview of general news and crime-and-justice categories. The appalling conditions and violence within this criminal organization, as evidenced by the physical assault on Mr. Hyunsub An, highlight the need for increased vigilance and justice in the political and legal spheres.
