18 Chinese Nationals Arrested in Chiang Mai Call Centre Scam
CHIANG MAI – Thai police have arrested 18 Chinese nationals for operating a large-scale call centre fraud from a luxury property in Chiang Mai’s Mae Rim district. The bust, carried out on July 31, followed weeks of surveillance and a search warrant approved by the Chiang Mai Provincial Court.
According to Police Major General Thawatchai Phongwiwatchai, Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, the raid was conducted jointly by cybercrime and tourist police units. The house, located in Moo 2, tambon Huai Sai, was estimated to be worth over 40 million baht and had been discreetly rented for three months by a Chinese ringleader.
When officers stormed the residence, they found a group of Chinese men and women actively engaged with computers and mobile phones—tools used to carry out various scams targeting victims in China. Upon seeing the authorities, all suspects attempted to flee the premises, with several leaping from the second floor, which stands over eight metres high.
Eight of the suspects sustained injuries from the fall. One suffered a broken leg while others were treated for cuts and bruises. All injured individuals were given medical attention before being taken into custody.
Inside the residence, police discovered more than 20 computers, over 100 mobile phones, and a large number of Chinese SIM cards. These devices were allegedly used to execute a range of fraudulent activities, including fake online product sales, airline ticket booking scams, false banking transaction alerts, and extortion calls posing as law enforcement officials.
Initial interrogation revealed that the suspects had been working in the operation for approximately three months. Each was being paid a monthly salary ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 yuan (equivalent to 50,000 to 100,000 baht). The house not only functioned as their office but also served as living quarters, with the suspects working in shifts around the clock.
Authorities believe this operation is part of a larger transnational cybercrime network, with Chiang Mai potentially serving as a new base for criminal enterprises targeting Chinese nationals. Police are now working to identify the higher-level organizers behind the scheme, as well as tracking financial trails and digital communications that may link this group to other international fraud rings.
“This is not just a local operation; it’s an international crime network,” said Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai. “We are actively investigating further and working with Chinese authorities to determine the full extent of this syndicate’s reach.”
The operation was triggered by intelligence provided to the Thai police several weeks ago. Investigators conducted round-the-clock surveillance and gathered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for the high-profile raid. Surveillance reports indicated unusually high digital activity within the premises and limited outside interaction, raising suspicions of covert operations.
This arrest marks one of the most significant busts involving foreign cybercriminals in northern Thailand in recent years. It highlights the growing use of Thailand as a base for tech-savvy fraud operations due to its accessibility and digital infrastructure.
Authorities urge the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious online activities. Meanwhile, the 18 suspects remain in custody, facing a range of charges related to cybercrime, fraud, and immigration violations. Police are expected to hand over their findings to international counterparts as investigations into the broader criminal network continue.
