Thai Police catch expats over involvement in massive scams targeting Aussies
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When we think of online scams, we often think of scheming individuals overseas targeting innocent Australians.
It's a story that sounds like it's straight out of a Hollywood action movie, except, it's all too real and is affecting thousands everyday.
In a dramatic turn of events, Thai Police have swooped in and arrested 13 people connected to a sophisticated, multimillion-dollar scam.
The said operation reportedly targeted Australians.
The bust took place in Samut Prakan, a province just outside bustling Bangkok.
According to authorities, a seemingly ordinary rental property had been transformed into a high-tech scam headquarters.
The massive operation was the result of a year-long joint investigation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Thai authorities.
The AFP first tipped off their Thai counterparts after uncovering evidence of a scam ring led by an Australian and a British citizen.
Upon further investigation, these ringleaders were no strangers to committing fraud.
Both individuals had been running similar operations in Indonesia before finally being tracked down in Thailand.
How did their scheme work?
The group's modus involves the usage of online ads and cold calls.
Scammers would lure unsuspecting Australians and other English speakers with promises of lucrative returns on long-term bond investments.
However, these investments were completely fake.
Inside the raided house, Police found damning evidence related to the operations.
Some of these finds were partitioned desks for privacy, whiteboards with notes and progress charts, and clocks set to various Australian time zones.
Papers detailing the scammers' scripts and workflows were taped up for reference.
Authorities also seized a trove of phones, computers, and other electronic devices used for the scam.
The human cost
AFP Senior Officer Kristie-Lee Cressy revealed the scale of the operation at a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
At least 14,000 Australians had fallen victim to the scam, with losses totalling $1.9 million.
Australian authorities also estimated that online scams have already cost the country $4.45 billion over the past four years.
'These are hard-earned savings, stolen from everyday Australians who thought they were making smart investments for their future,' Officer Cressy said.
'Shutting down this scam centre is a significant win for the communities of Thailand and Australia.'
The aftermath and ongoing investigation
The suspects, who entered Thailand on a variety of visas, have denied any wrongdoing.
They claimed that they were working for a legitimate investment company.
Yet, for now, they face charges of racketeering and working in Thailand without a permit.
Authorities have yet to conduct further investigation, which could hit them with severe charges for fraud and involvement in organised crime.
This bust operation was part of a broader crackdown on transnational crime.
Authorities believed that the two ringleaders had been running similar scams for years and had been moving from one country to another to evade the law.
A recent UN report highlighted how organised crime groups in East and Southeast Asia have expanded their operations globally in response to increased law enforcement pressure.
Sadly, scams like this are becoming more common and more sophisticated.
Here are a few tips to help keep your hard-earned money safe:
Have you or someone you know ever been targeted by a scam like this? What steps do you take to protect yourself online? Share your stories and safety tips in the comments below. Your experiences could help save someone else from falling victim to fraudsters.
READ MORE: How overseas telemarketers are targeting Australians through brand impersonation
It's a story that sounds like it's straight out of a Hollywood action movie, except, it's all too real and is affecting thousands everyday.
In a dramatic turn of events, Thai Police have swooped in and arrested 13 people connected to a sophisticated, multimillion-dollar scam.
The said operation reportedly targeted Australians.
The bust took place in Samut Prakan, a province just outside bustling Bangkok.
According to authorities, a seemingly ordinary rental property had been transformed into a high-tech scam headquarters.
One of the captured criminals was an Australian expat based in Thailand. Image Credit: Pexels/Kindel Media
The massive operation was the result of a year-long joint investigation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Thai authorities.
The AFP first tipped off their Thai counterparts after uncovering evidence of a scam ring led by an Australian and a British citizen.
Upon further investigation, these ringleaders were no strangers to committing fraud.
Both individuals had been running similar operations in Indonesia before finally being tracked down in Thailand.
The group's modus involves the usage of online ads and cold calls.
Scammers would lure unsuspecting Australians and other English speakers with promises of lucrative returns on long-term bond investments.
However, these investments were completely fake.
Inside the raided house, Police found damning evidence related to the operations.
Some of these finds were partitioned desks for privacy, whiteboards with notes and progress charts, and clocks set to various Australian time zones.
Papers detailing the scammers' scripts and workflows were taped up for reference.
Authorities also seized a trove of phones, computers, and other electronic devices used for the scam.
The human cost
AFP Senior Officer Kristie-Lee Cressy revealed the scale of the operation at a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
At least 14,000 Australians had fallen victim to the scam, with losses totalling $1.9 million.
Australian authorities also estimated that online scams have already cost the country $4.45 billion over the past four years.
'These are hard-earned savings, stolen from everyday Australians who thought they were making smart investments for their future,' Officer Cressy said.
'Shutting down this scam centre is a significant win for the communities of Thailand and Australia.'
The aftermath and ongoing investigation
The suspects, who entered Thailand on a variety of visas, have denied any wrongdoing.
They claimed that they were working for a legitimate investment company.
Yet, for now, they face charges of racketeering and working in Thailand without a permit.
Authorities have yet to conduct further investigation, which could hit them with severe charges for fraud and involvement in organised crime.
This bust operation was part of a broader crackdown on transnational crime.
Authorities believed that the two ringleaders had been running similar scams for years and had been moving from one country to another to evade the law.
A recent UN report highlighted how organised crime groups in East and Southeast Asia have expanded their operations globally in response to increased law enforcement pressure.
Sadly, scams like this are becoming more common and more sophisticated.
Here are a few tips to help keep your hard-earned money safe:
- Be sceptical of unsolicited investment offers, especially those promising high returns with little or no risk.
- Double-check the credentials of any company or individual offering financial products. Use official government websites or trusted financial advisors.
- Never give out personal or financial information over the phone or online unless you're absolutely sure who you're dealing with.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to hang up or delete suspicious emails.
READ MORE: How overseas telemarketers are targeting Australians through brand impersonation
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