Thai and Cambodian police will collaborate to combat call center scams, announced national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol. He expects concrete results within a short period.
Following a video conference meeting with his Cambodian counterpart, Sar Thet, Pol Gen Torsak said both sides would intensify efforts to eliminate call center gangs operating in both countries. He anticipates seeing solid results in 60 days.
A task force will be established to lead the joint effort, with the next meeting scheduled to be held in Cambodia next week. Senior police officers and representatives from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Bank of Thailand, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo), and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society attended the meeting.
Deputy police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet noted that the meeting followed recent discussions between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, on joint efforts to suppress call center scams and online fraud. Mr. Srettha had assigned the police chief to seek cooperation from Cambodian authorities in addressing the issue.
The meeting focused on sharing information about the activities of call center scammers, suspected operation bases in Cambodia, and future joint operations. Pol Gen Kitrat mentioned that the Thai side also requested Cambodia’s assistance in tracking down and deporting over 100 Thai nationals wanted for involvement in call center gangs who are hiding in Cambodia.
Joint working panels will be formed to facilitate information exchange and develop coordinated operation plans.
To combat call center scams, the NBTC has required individuals with six or more SIM cards to re-register and verify their identities to control the problem of mule cards. Last week, the regulator suspended more than three million SIM cards as the holders had not verified their identities by the deadline.
Police, the NBTC, and three mobile phone service providers have also increased efforts to remove illegal telecom signal towers and cables in dozens of locations along the border to disrupt call center scam operations.
