Between January 1 and July 9, 2025, Thailand recorded 175,477 online fraud cases, averaging 919 per day, with financial losses reaching 14.87 billion baht. Only 2% of the funds were successfully frozen.
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) revealed that over 80% of these scams originated from Poipet, Cambodia—targeting Thai victims through online purchase fraud (56%), money transfer scams (26%), and loan fraud (7%).
CCIB launched a massive crackdown named “Operation Mule Account Takedown: Hunt for Cambodian Financiers,” raiding 19 locations in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi, targeting networks linked to Cambodian casino mogul Kok An, owner of Crown Casino.
Kok An, controlling several high-rise casinos in Poipet, is now wanted for transnational crime and money laundering. Thai police are coordinating with Interpol for a red notice and working with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to seek international prosecution.
Kok An and Ly Yong Phat, both deeply tied to Cambodian elites and the ruling regime, are accused of using casinos for massive scam operations and maintaining connections with Thai politicians, officials, and business leaders.
The crackdown follows heightened tensions after a leaked phone call between Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian figures. Thaksin Shinawatra later accused Hun Sen of betraying his daughter, exposing deeper political rifts and criminal ties.
Thaksin linked the scam network to the blacklisted Huione group and implicated Hun Sen’s nephew as a shareholder.
With border restrictions and declining casino visitors, both Kok An and Ly Yong Phat’s operations are under pressure. Authorities believe the current crackdown would not have been possible without political fallout.
