Fifteen foreigners were apprehended when police raided a building off Soi Nuanchan in Bangkok, where they were seen using a website designed to lure victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency trading schemes.
The raid at 8.30pm on Friday was prompted by residents’ complaints about foreigners walking around and making loud noise at the back of the alley, between sois 36 and 38 in Bung Kum district, Pol Lt Col Siam Boonsom, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said on Saturday.
The raided building looked like a warehouse with a car park, he said.
Police found two foreigners standing outside and asked to search the premises, but they reportedly were unable to communicate effectively. Shortly afterward, the owner arrived and let the police in.
Inside was a large, windowless room. There was a door to another room fitted with a sliding peephole, which officers opened and saw people seated in front of computers.
As the officers entered, those inside tried unsuccessfully to escape through a back door.
Police detained 15 people — nine Azerbaijanis, five Georgians and a Ukrainian — and seized numerous electronic devices, including computers, phones and internet routers. Scripts used to communicate with prospective victims were also found.
Further investigation revealed that the group operated a website that was used for deceiving victims into investing in digital currency schemes.
The suspects were taken into custody at the Khok Khram Police Station. The investigation was continuing.
Source: Bangkok Post