The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has seized additional assets valued at around 68 million baht, belonging to individuals connected to the dismantled high-profile online gambling ring run by Suchanun Sucharitchinsri, also known as the Minnie network.
In light of the recent court-ordered asset confiscation related to the Minnie online gambling ring, Amlo is broadening its inquiry into the network’s financial activities.
Amlo’s secretary-general, Thepsu Bowornchotedara, mentioned that the agency is investigating a potential connection between the group and embattled deputy national police chief Surachate Hakparn.
Among the recently seized assets was a house worth 13 million baht in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, which, despite being registered under another person’s name, was allegedly paid for by Ms. Suchanun’s down payment, as per Mr. Thepsu.
He also stated that other confiscated assets included funds in bank accounts held by acquaintances of Ms. Suchanun.
To date, assets totaling over 109 million baht have been seized from this online gambling network.
Additionally, apart from the online gambling syndicate, Pol Gen Surachate is suspected of involvement with BNK Master, another major online gambling network previously dismantled and currently under investigation for money laundering by Tao Poon police, according to Mr. Thepsu.
Once Amlo receives a police investigation report from Tao Poon police station, it will commence tracing the network’s financial transactions to identify other potential accomplices, Mr. Thepsu added.
Pol Gen Surachate has been suspended from the police force due to his alleged involvement in the money laundering case linked to BNK Master.
In another development, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated that he was unaware of Pol Gen Surachate’s withdrawal of a petition filed against the premier to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
Pol Gen Surachate had requested an investigation into Mr. Srettha for alleged misconduct regarding the decision to suspend him from duty.
Mr. Srettha’s response came following NACC secretary-general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol’s disclosure about Pol Gen Surachate retracting his petition.
Pol Gen Surachate, on the other hand, explained that he withdrew the petition out of concern it might overlap with similar misconduct petitions filed against the premier by others in separate cases.
