The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has seized additional assets worth more than 350 million baht from an alleged transnational scam network connected to Cambodian senator Phat Supapha, also known as Ly Yong Phat, and his associates.
The latest seizure brings the total value of confiscated assets in this case to over 650 million baht. Wittaya Neetitham, assistant secretary-general and spokesman of Amlo, said the move comes after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared suppression of cybercrime as a national priority.
The PM formed a committee on technology crime prevention and suppression, whose two sub-committees, one on suppression efforts and another on prevention measures, are chaired by Justice Minister Rutthapon Naowarat and Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob, respectively. Before the crackdown, investigations were carried out which found the suspects allegedly used call centre scams to deceive Thai citizens into parting with their money.
Amlo secretary-general Thepsu Bawornchotdara invoked his authority under Section 48 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act to order the seizure and freezing of 11 additional assets linked to the offence, including condo units, land plots and bank accounts, worth about 350 million baht in total.
Further probes showed multiple fraud cases were interconnected through complex financial transactions tied to Chinese nationals holding Cambodian passports. Large sums were found in related bank accounts, with transactions tracing back to Mr Phat and his family — individuals whose Thai citizenship had previously been revoked.
Since 2017, four separate asset seizure orders have been issued in relation to this case, covering assets worth roughly 300 million baht. The Civil Court later ordered that all confiscated assets be returned or used as compensation to 559 victims. The restitution process is now being handled by the Amlo.
The Amlo is preparing to file money laundering charges against a suspect identified as Taweesak Sujaritwattananont and his associates, who are allegedly connected to Mr Phat’s scam network.