Thai Cyber Police Trace Scam Operations to Cambodian Corporation, Investigation Delves into Links with Hun Sen's Family
The Thai cybercrime squad has recently unearthed a colossal money laundering scheme involving online gambling and call center fraud, channeling proceeds into the "Huione Group," a Cambodian entity[1][2]. While investigations are underway, there's a potential connection to a nephew of Cambodia's Senate President, Hun Sen[1][2].
At a briefing at the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) Headquarters in Muang Thong Thani, Commissioner Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan of the CCIB shared insights about the illicit cash flow, revealing it moves through various intermediary accounts, often referred to as "mule" accounts. These accounts are then used to convert the money into cryptocurrency[1][2].
The digital assets are further converted back into cash or other assets via the Huione Group. The Commissioner suggested two possibilities - either the Huione Group is a legitimate company based in Cambodia or it's operating within scammer-controlled areas along the border[1]. He emphasized that the organization seems to be used to convert digital currency into cash or transfer it to other accounts[1].
The Commissioner acknowledged that the financial trails from most online gambling and call center scam cases have pointed to this specific company. When asked if this pattern was unusual, he hesitated to give a definitive answer, noting that the Huione Group is legally registered[1]. Additionally, he downplayed the impact of the U.S.'s decision to blacklist the company on the ongoing cyber police investigation or monitoring[1].
In response to queries from journalists about whether comprehensive asset and financial data had been requested from the Huione Group, the Commissioner gave a cautious response. He confirmed that data requests had been sent to numerous companies, but the Huione Group had provided information only on a "case-by-case basis," sometimes failing to provide data at all[1]. He emphasized that it was too early to determine if this suggested any complicity in a criminal enterprise[1].
Crucially, when questioned about ownership ties to Hun To, nephew of Cambodia's influential Senate President, Hun Sen, Lt Gen Trairong declined to comment directly[1]. Separately, the Commissioner issued a public advisory, urging Thai citizens to exercise extreme caution when consuming and sharing news, especially given the current security situation between Thailand and Cambodia[1]. He warned against the increased use of sophisticated "fake news," often employing AI-powered image manipulation, and stressed the importance of relying on credible news outlets[1].
- The Huione Group, a Cambodian entity at the center of the recent money laundering scheme, seemingly functions as an intermediary for converting digital currency into cash or transferring it to other accounts.
- The illicit cash flow in the money laundering scheme, involving online gambling and call center fraud, is channeled through various intermediary accounts, including "mule" accounts, and eventually reaches the Huione Group.
- The Commissioner, while refusing to comment directly on ownership ties to Hun To, nephew of Cambodia's Senate President, has emphasized the need for Thai citizens to exercise extreme caution when consuming and sharing news, particularly given the current security situation between Thailand and Cambodia.
- The Commissioner has acknowledged that financial trails from most online gambling and call center scam cases have pointed to the Huione Group, raising questions about its potential involvement in the criminal enterprise, despite being legally registered.
