18 People Face Indictments in Thailand for Ties to Illegal Gambling
18 individuals have been indicted by prosecutors in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, for their involvement in a money laundering scheme tied to illegal online gambling platforms. The arrests were part of a targeted effort against illegal gambling activity in the country.
Thailand police officers march in formation. (Source: Getty Images)
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The group is alleged to have facilitated transactions totaling 10.99 trillion Vietnamese dong (approximately USD432.38 million) over two years, allegedly earning about NT$80.6 million (USD2.46 million). The charges include violations of several statutes related to money laundering and the illicit use of funds.
Related: Thailand's Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Scams Leads to 17,000 ArrestsThe investigation identified a 41-year-old man, surnamed Lee, as the leader of the operation. Lee reportedly set up multiple fraudulent accounts for transactions in Vietnamese dong and recruited a network of accomplices to launder the proceeds generated from the illegal gambling platforms. The laundering activities were conducted remotely, with Lee utilizing two apartments in the Sanmin District of Kaohsiung, which were rented through an associate. These locations housed the equipment necessary to manage the scheme.
The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office detailed that the criminal organization operated between 2020 and 2022. During this time, the group facilitated the laundering of funds generated by various gambling platforms, ensuring the money was funneled through layers of transactions to obscure its origins. The investigation revealed that the operation was organized and relied on the cooperation of multiple individuals to maintain its scale and efficiency.
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Investigation Continues
Authorities conducted raids earlier this year at several locations linked to the operation. These coordinated efforts led to the arrests of Lee and his 17 accomplices, along with the seizure of assets associated with the criminal activities. Among the confiscated assets were two residential properties owned by Lee in Tainan, valued at NT$45 million, and NT$620,000 in cash. Prosecutors have since frozen these assets as part of their ongoing efforts to recover the illicit gains from the operation.
The scale and complexity of the money laundering activities highlight the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating financial crimes tied to online gambling. The use of dummy accounts and remote operations allowed the group to process substantial sums of money while minimizing direct exposure to law enforcement. However, sustained investigative efforts ultimately uncovered the network and led to the indictments.
The charges filed against the 18 individuals mark a significant step in addressing the broader issue of illegal online gambling in the region. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office has committed to continuing its investigation and pursuing legal actions to ensure those involved are held accountable under Taiwan's laws.
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