Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) launched a major crackdown on August 20 in Chiang Mai, targeting a criminal network involved in online gambling and the illegal broadcasting of football matches, freezing related assets totaling up to 2 billion baht.
This operation was led by DSI Director Yutana Paldam and Deputy Director Chatupong Bangkochamas, with the head of the IT Crime Division, Kamachat Prayongme, executing on-site.
The investigation revealed that since July 31, 2024, the gang has been illegally streaming football matches on at least nine unauthorized websites, using this as a means to divert traffic to gambling platforms, covering football betting, lotteries, baccarat, and slot machines. Meanwhile, funds were transferred through cross-border websites and "horse accounts," accumulating over 240 million baht.
DSI confirmed that at least 150 "horse accounts" were used for payments and money laundering, with frozen assets including cash, luxury houses, designer watches, gold bars, luxury goods, pickups, and motorcycles. The suspects were categorized into four groups: about 150 people providing "horse accounts," approximately 15 website and social media administrators, 20 responsible for cash transfers, and about 10 backers of the operation.
Currently, some suspects have been prosecuted, with the main leaders still at large overseas. DSI emphasized that it will continue to pursue core members and cooperate with relevant departments to protect the legitimate rights of copyright holders and prevent the resurgence of the gambling underworld.
