A total of 119 Thais were among 230 foreigners rescued from a scam call center in Poipet, Cambodia, underscoring a relentless crackdown on cybercrimes.
The Cambodian National Police General Directorate issued a statement following raids conducted on February 22 and 23 at two locations in Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey province. The details were reported by the Khmer Times on Saturday.
Among those rescued, 123 individuals identified themselves as Thai nationals, with 119 confirmed as originating from Thailand. The group also included citizens from Myanmar and Laos.
The rescued Thais, comprising 61 men and 58 women, admitted to entering Cambodia illegally to partake in online crimes, lured by the promise of high salaries. They disclosed that they had joined the operation willingly and were not being held against their will.
None of the detainees have requested assistance from either the Thai or Cambodian governments.
Plans are underway to repatriate all Thai detainees involved.
This operation was the culmination of a three-month investigation targeting Chinese-operated call centers in Cambodia.
In a related development, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited the border area of Sa Kaeo province yesterday. During her visit, she reiterated the government’s determination to eradicate call center scams originating from Cambodia.
The prime minister presided over a meeting aimed at dismantling these criminal networks. Attendees included Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, and Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, chief of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB).
Representatives from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and various telecommunication service providers were also present at the meeting.
The prime minister emphasized that the purpose of her visit was to assess progress and determine the necessity for additional measures to foster better collaboration between government agencies and the private sector.
Earlier in the week, she pledged to intensify efforts against call center gangs, assuring that the government’s resolve would persist until the mission was accomplished.
On Thursday, she informed parliament that the government’s strategy against these criminal activities was proving effective.
Additionally, the prime minister visited a screening center for victims of call center scams in Sa Kaeo yesterday, where she received a briefing on the center’s role and operational procedures.
