PM Vows Crackdown on Cybercrime

BANGKOK, Oct 16 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged a full-scale operation to combat cybercrime, appointing a former senior police officer to lead a task force, following reports of South Korean nationals falling victim to call center scams.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament as he was departing, Anutin confirmed a committee had been established with all relevant agencies included. For the operational side, he assigned Pol. Gen. Permpoon Chidchob, a Prime Minister’s advisor and a former police officer to lead the team, stressing the need for the government to fully address the issue which is causing widespread public distress. 

When asked if Thailand would cooperate with the US and South Korea in tackling the scam gangs, he only stated that such international collaboration is already one of the conditions Thailand has proposed to Cambodia.

Meanwhile, Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau spokesperson Maj. Gen. Chatphantakhan Khlaiklueng, confirmed that the bureau would hold a meeting today (Oct 16) to formulate assistance measures for South Korean nationals reportedly tricked into working for and going missing from scam call centres in Cambodia. Over 80 South Koreans are reported missing. 

He said the scamming behaviour mirrored tactics used against Thai citizens, suggesting the same criminal syndicates were involved. He noted that statistics show 80% of Thais arrested in connection with these operations knew they were going to work for a call centre gang but were lured by high pay. Only 20% were forced to scam their fellow Thais, facing torture like electric shocks if they refused. Escaping victims often claim they were solely victims of deception. Unlike some reports concerning the South Korean victims, he said there had been no reported deaths from torture among Thais. -819 (TNA)