Thailand police have detained five Indian nationals who are suspected of serving as administrators for an online gambling operation during a raid at a condominium in Pattaya.
Police Raid Results in Five Arrests
On Wednesday, Chon Buri immigration police searched a second-floor condominium room on Soi Thep Prasit 17 in Tambon Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, following reports that a group of Indian nationals were residing and working there. Inside the room, officers discovered five men using laptop computers, along with more than 20 mobile phones scattered across a table.
The five arrested men, aged between 24 and 39, were taken in for questioning. While all denied any involvement in illegal activities, police noted that their statements were inconsistent. According to Pol Col Napasphong Khositsuriyamanee, chief of Chon Buri immigration, the men reportedly acknowledged acting as administrators responding to customers but declined to reveal the specific nature of the services they provided.
The arrests come at a time when Thailand seems to be changing to a more hardline stance against gambling. Earlier this month, for example, Thailand’s Prime Minister paused initiatives to legalize casinos in the country, a move which many observers see as critical for his new government.
How Did the Scheme Work?
Investigators reported that seized notebooks contained transaction records totaling several million Indian rupees, roughly equivalent to THB 2 million (around $54,000). The funds are suspected to be connected to online gambling platforms targeting foreign clients. During the raid, the arresting team seized three laptops, 22 mobile phones, a tablet, credit cards, and notebooks containing records of money transfers. Said funds are suspected to be linked to online gambling platforms that target foreign customers.
Authorities believe the group may be part of a larger network operating offshore gambling sites while using Thailand as an administrative base. Such operations typically manage customer service, payments, and player verification to support illegal gambling platforms, which are beyond Thailand’s jurisdiction.
The five suspects are being detained for further questioning while immigration and cybercrime authorities review the seized devices and financial records. They are expected to face charges for working without proper permits or engaging in work beyond what is allowed under the Foreigners’ Working Management Decree, although police have said that additional charges may be filed once the digital evidence is fully analyzed.