16 nabbed for running gambling websites
Police have nabbed 16 Thai citizens for allegedly running gambling websites that were generating some Bt100 million a month.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) will investigate related financial transactions so more accomplices can be arrested, Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) chief Pol Maj-General Suphaset Chokchai told the press on Wednesday.
Police have already searched 18 locations across Bangkok.
The 10 women and six men were arrested at a “gambling call centre” and 50 computers and account books were seized.
The suspects will face charges of advertising gambling – which is punishable by up to two years in prison and Bt5,000 in fines – as well as money-laundering, Suphaset said.
AMLO chief Pol Colonel Sihanart Prayoonrat said the agency had already frozen Bt10 million in 38 bank accounts held by members of the online gambling network.
As the TCSD does not have the authority to arrest gambling operators based outside the country or block foreign-operated websites, it has sought cooperation from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC).
Adirek Weerakit, chief of NBTC Region 1 Office, said NBTC Area 5 officials has called on service providers to check if there were Internet links to facilitate online gambling in neighbouring countries.
The found one link in the Sa Kaew border area. Authorities are investigating who owned the line.
RELATED