US lawmakers and Thai police target regional scam gangs
Representatives Sylvia Garcia and Lucy McBath met Thai police to discuss intelligence-sharing and prosecutions against Southeast Asian scam networks
Two Democratic members of the US House of Representatives met senior Thai police on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) to discuss cooperation against online scam networks operating across Southeast Asia.
Sylvia Garcia, who represents Texas, and Lucy McBath of Georgia held talks with Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, deputy commissioner-general of the Royal Thai Police.
Pol Gen Thatchai also directs the Royal Thai Police centre responsible for combating human trafficking and transnational crime.
The meeting, attended by officials from the relevant agencies, focused on sharing information and developing joint approaches to prevent and suppress online fraud.
Thai police described the networks as complex transnational criminal operations with extensive connections and evolving methods. Their activities have affected people in several countries, including Americans on a wide scale.
The talks covered coordination among the relevant agencies, intelligence-sharing, the tracking of criminal networks and legal action against those involved.
Both sides examined ways to strengthen enforcement against online scam gangs and reduce the effects on people in Thailand, the United States and other countries in the region.
Pol Gen Thatchai stressed that online crime required sustained international cooperation, integrated intelligence and coordinated action among law-enforcement agencies to disrupt transnational networks more effectively.
