11 'call-centre' suspects return
China has extradited 11 out of 13 suspected scammers from a Thai 'call-centre', for prosecution in Thailand. The two other accused had to serve 22 months in jail in China first, the Economic Crime Division Police said yesterday.
Thai police received six men, aged from 18 to 41, and five women, aged from 26 to 43, at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday.
After complaints from people who said they were duped by a China-based “call centre”, the Central Investigation Bureau sent officials to work with Chinese police. This led to an April 8, 2010 bust in Guangdong in which 13 Thais and two Taiwanese were arrested. Arrest warrants were also issued for 34 other suspects.
Suwaporn Riabriang, 39, said she had been lured to work for a tour company in China and was promised Bt10,000 a month plus commission. However, she said she and the other Thais, lured in a similarly way to China, were held by the two Taiwanese and ordered to do as they were told or they would be assaulted.
