The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) will set up a special committee to investigate all major scam-related cases nationwide, says Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat.
His announcement follows a recent meeting of the committee on technology crime prevention and suppression, chaired by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. He said the Ministry of Justice would lead efforts to combat online crime and scam syndicates. The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) will cooperate with the committee.
Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon added the committee will cover allegations linking certain Thai politicians to scam operations and the relationship between Prince International Co Ltd and Prince Group, a conglomerate led by Chen Zhi, a Chinese-Cambodian businessman blacklisted by the United States. The minister said no Thai politicians have yet been named but emphasised that anyone found involved will face legal action regardless of their status.
He said he also welcomes cooperation from People’s Party MP Rangsiman Rome, who has been exposing alleged links between politicians and scam groups, saying the committee is open to receiving any credible evidence. Regarding the Prince Group case, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said it is among the priority cases under the committee’s investigation. The committee is verifying information with foreign authorities to determine whether Prince International is directly connected to Mr Chen’s firm.
Amlo secretary-general Thepsu Bawornchotdara said his agency is examining whether Mr Chen holds any assets in Thailand.
Thailand faces a growing challenge in curbing the illegal, industrial-scale scam operations being run out of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. Criminal gangs have been forcing trafficked victims to lure people on social media and dating applications.