Thai police have arrested a 32-year-old Singaporean man wanted in connection with an international scam syndicate, following a request for assistance from authorities in Singapore.
The suspect, identified only as Brian, was taken into custody on Nov. 19 at a home in Khon Kaen’s Si Chomphu district by officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division, officials said Wednesday.
Singapore’s Anti-Scam Centre had alerted Thailand’s Anti-Cybercrime Scam Centre that Brian was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice on charges related to organized crime and cross-border fraud. He is among 34 suspects sought by Singapore police.
Investigators say Brian was part of a scam operation based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and fled to Thailand, where he was hiding at his Thai wife’s residence.
During questioning, he allegedly admitted to working as the group’s financial administrator, helping impersonate government officials in phone calls used to frighten Singaporean victims into transferring money. He told police he earned about $4,000 a month.
The syndicate is believed to involve Singaporean and Malaysian members, including its leaders, police said.
Thai authorities charged Brian with overstaying his visa. He is expected to be deported to Singapore to face cybercrime-related charges.
Singapore has ramped up its crackdown on regional scam networks. Earlier this month, Parliament approved tougher penalties, including mandatory caning for convicted scammers and discretionary caning for money mules.
Source: Khaosod English