Gambling admin arrested as police bust online network with 9,600 players in Thailand
An administrator was arrested as police dismantled an online gambling network in Thailand with more than 9,600 players and 76 million baht in transactions.
Nawee allegedly managed bank accounts and finances for the betting website before police stormed his home in Bangkok, on August 27.
The Crime Suppression Division launched the raid following a probe into online advertisements promising 'big payouts every day' alongside photos showing huge cash prizes.
An undercover officer signed up to the platform and placed bets, with winnings later transferred into his account.
Further investigations found that the network kept separate bank accounts for deposits and payouts to avoid being flagged over unusually large cash flows.
A search of Nawee's home found 247 pieces of evidence, including bank passbooks, ATM cards, mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards, and 195,900 baht in cash.
Nawee reportedly confessed that he had been hired to handle the gambling website's finances for a monthly salary of 50,000 baht.
He told officers he had been working for the network for three years, overseeing eight bank accounts.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ruangwit Duangjinda, of the Crime Suppression Division, said Nawee was charged with 'organising unauthorised gambling through electronic media, allowing others to use deposit accounts or electronic cards knowing or having reason to know they would be used to commit an offence, and money laundering'.
He added: ‘The suspect was handed over to an inquiry officer for further legal proceedings.'
Most forms of gambling are illegal in Thailand, with only a few exceptions such as the state lottery and state-approved horse racing.
Online gambling is also illegal, and Thai police regularly block gambling websites and prosecute operators and players.
The government has previously discussed legalising casinos but gambling remains largely illegal.
