VIENTIANE: Lao authorities have handed over 106 Thai nationals allegedly linked to call-centre scam and online gambling operations, following a major nationwide crackdown on scam gangs.
The first group of Thais was transferred to Thai authorities on Wednesday (May 27) after being arrested in Bolikhamxay province and going through legal proceedings in Laos.
Thai officials said all 106 people would be screened to determine whether they were victims of human trafficking or forced labour, or whether they had willingly travelled to work for the alleged scam operation.
Bolikhamxay raids uncover alleged scam network
Specialist police from Bolikhamxay provincial police said Lao authorities had received intelligence that Lao and foreign groups had brought in equipment to operate telecommunications-related crimes, call-centre facilities and online gambling websites.
After verifying the information, police searched several locations in Paksan district, including the TF-LVE Lao Government Lottery office, Seng Hong Huang Hotel, Vongduan Hotel and Dao Nin Guesthouse.
The searches were carried out on May 19 in coordination with local authorities and under a search order from the Bolikhamxay provincial prosecutor’s office.
Police seize computers, phones and office equipment
According to Lao authorities, searches at Moonlight Hotel and Seng Hong Huang Hotel found that the locations were being used as hiding places for the group.
Equipment allegedly used in the offences was found at the TF-LVE Lao Government Lottery Company in Honghuangxay village and at Dao Nin residence in Sanxay village.
Authorities detained 106 people, including 51 women, and seized evidence for further investigation. Items confiscated included:
164 desktop computers
149 laptops
119 mobile phones
21 computers
3 printers
Thais say they were recruited through Facebook
The Thai nationals told authorities they had seen job advertisements on Facebook or had been persuaded by acquaintances to apply for work at a company in Paksan district.
The jobs were advertised as administrative roles, customer-chat response positions, video editing, advertising and customer-service work.
Some said they had been told the jobs involved responding to customers applying for online gambling services, including slot games, baccarat, football betting and lottery-related services.
They travelled from Thailand to Laos using passports and were offered starting salaries of about 5 million kip, or around 35,000 baht per month. They were told they would receive higher pay after passing a three-month probation period.
Lottery firm allegedly used as gambling front
Lao police said TF-LVE Lao Government Lottery Company had been legally authorised to operate.
However, investigators said the company’s lottery service was still being developed and had not yet been fully completed. Authorities alleged that the lottery business was being used as a front for illegal online gambling services.
The alleged services included slot games, baccarat, football betting and lottery-related gambling involving Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China, Malaysia and other countries.
Bolikhamxay provincial police said the Thai nationals had entered Laos as tourists but allegedly worked for the company’s illegal online gambling operation.
Thai officials begin victim screening
Pol Col Jatuporn Newamat, superintendent of Bueng Kan immigration police, said Thai authorities would interview and screen all 106 returnees under the National Referral Mechanism.
The NRM is used to identify and protect possible victims of human trafficking or forced labour.
Jatuporn said those found to be victims would be sent back to their home provinces, while those found to have willingly joined the scam operation would face legal action.
Some returnees linked to previous cases
Initial checks found that the 106 Thais came from several provinces across the country.
Authorities said nine had previously been arrested in similar cases. Any returnees who test positive for drugs will also face legal proceedings.
Officials also found one person allegedly linked to mule-account offences with more than 70 outstanding cases. That individual will be transferred to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau for further action.
Another 11 people suspected of being linked to mule accounts will undergo further detailed questioning and screening. - The Nation/ANN
