Thai authorities have carried out one of the country’s largest anti-scam crackdowns to date, seizing more than 10 billion baht (US$313 million) in assets linked to transnational scam networks operating between Thailand and Cambodia. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the coordinated operation on Wednesday as police raided 50 locations across 22 provinces.
The nationwide crackdown, officially named “Uproot Cross-Border Scammers,” focused on Thai citizens suspected of working with organized crime groups in Cambodia. These networks are believed to be responsible for large-scale call center fraud, online scams, and sophisticated money laundering operations that have affected victims across the region.
According to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the seized assets include a wide range of high-value items such as luxury yachts, premium vehicles, real estate, and bank accounts frozen during the operation. Authorities described the haul as a major blow to the financial foundations of these criminal groups.
During a press conference held on December 3 at CIB headquarters, Prime Minister Anutin addressed growing public questions about potential political ties to the suspects. He stated that the government would not protect any individual found to be involved in criminal activity, regardless of their connections.
The raids stemmed from months of joint investigations led by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the CIB, and other security agencies. Officials said the investigation uncovered clear financial links between Thai nationals and scam syndicates operating out of Cambodia, particularly those notorious for running large-scale online fraud operations.
Authorities approved the seizure of assets on December 2, covering four major cases involving what AMLO described as “clear and direct connections” to transnational money laundering networks. The decision allowed officers to move quickly to raid multiple target sites across the country.
AMLO reported that the money trails revealed complex laundering methods used to disguise profits from call center fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, investment scams, and illegal online operations. The assets seized under the December 2 order represent the first major phase in a broader campaign to track and dismantle financial structures associated with these networks.
Investigators are expected to continue examining bank transactions, property ownership records, and business registrations linked to individuals believed to be part of the wider transnational network. Officials emphasized that more arrests and seizures are likely as the probe expands.
Prime Minister Anutin said the government is committed to aggressively pursuing scam syndicates that damage Thailand’s financial system and international reputation. He highlighted the importance of cooperation between domestic agencies and international partners in identifying cross-border criminal activity.
The “Uproot Cross-Border Scammers” operation marks one of Thailand’s most extensive efforts to disrupt foreign-linked fraud networks. Authorities say the crackdown is a major step toward restoring public confidence and preventing criminals from using Thailand as a base for laundering illicit funds.
Further updates are expected as investigations move into the next phase and additional suspects are identified.
