Cyber Police Arrest Two Chinese Nationals in Sophisticated SMS Scam Operation
The Cyber Police Task Force has arrested two Chinese nationals who operated a mobile scam targeting thousands of unsuspecting shoppers across Bangkok’s busiest commercial areas. The suspects used advanced signal-jamming and false base station technology to broadcast fraudulent SMS messages containing phishing links to nearby mobile devices.
The scammers targeted densely populated locations, including ICONSIAM, Asiatique, and CentralWorld, transmitting their fraudulent messages within a 1-3 kilometer radius. Their technology effectively suppressed legitimate cellular tower signals, enabling the dissemination of deceptive messages to up to 30,000 phone numbers in these areas.
Police Raid and Arrests
On January 9, following an intensive investigation, police raided two apartments at JR Court in Nuanchan Soi 60, Bueng Kum district. During the operation, officers arrested two suspects: Mr. Li, 49, and Mr. Zhu, 47.
Authorities seized critical evidence, including:
- A bronze Honda CR-V equipped with a false base station device.
- 11 mobile phones.
- Over 30 SIM cards.
- Multiple bank accounts and ATM cards.
Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwphan, Commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, revealed that the investigation was conducted in collaboration with Advanced Info Service (AIS) engineers, who provided technical expertise to identify the scam operation.
The suspects had reportedly entered Thailand in mid-December under the guise of being tour guides. While they denied involvement in the scam, claiming they borrowed the vehicle from a friend, evidence links them to fraudulent SMS activities over the past four days.
Hunt for Third Suspect
Authorities are also pursuing a third Chinese suspect, who had been renting an apartment in the same building for nearly a year. Police suspect this individual may be the mastermind behind the operation and are working to locate any additional accomplices.
Public Advisory
Wisitsak Charoenchai, Director of Corporate Relations at AIS, issued a warning to the public, emphasizing that legitimate mobile operators never send messages containing links to customers. He urged people to avoid clicking on suspicious links, as scammers often use these tactics to steal funds or sensitive information from victims.
Broader Implications
This case highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercrime tactics and the critical need for heightened awareness among mobile users. Law enforcement and telecom providers continue to work closely to combat such schemes and safeguard the public from digital fraud.
