A member of the Poipet call center gang fled back to hide in Thailand, planning to escape again to Cambodia. He confessed to playing the role of a 'Lieutenant Colonel' using video calls to threaten victims into transferring money.
On 12 May 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chananat Sarathwanpaet, Commander of the Cyber Crime Division, ordered Pol. Col. Phanuphat Kittiphan, Superintendent of Division 1, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Pornsek Chaowasan and Pol. Sgt. Maj. Nattawat Ta-wan, to jointly arrest Mr. Amorntep, also known as "Ta," 35, under an arrest warrant from the South Bangkok Criminal Court No. 333/2568 dated 21 March 2025, on charges including "participation in an international criminal organization, gang affiliation, fraud by impersonation, inputting false data into computer systems, and forgery and use of forged official documents." The arrest took place in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, on 11 May.
In mid-2024, Cyber Crime Division 1 received reports from victims that a call center gang dressed as police officers was making phone and video calls to threaten and deceive people into transferring money. Investigations quickly expanded, leading to the arrest of several members involved in mule accounts, phone scams, and money laundering groups.
Further investigation revealed many accomplices. Investigators collected evidence and obtained additional warrants, including for the Chinese gang leader. Some suspects fled and returned to their hometowns to hide.
Later, authorities learned that Mr. Amorntep had returned to hide in Thailand and was preparing to travel back to Poipet, Cambodia. Officials monitored his movements and eventually located and arrested him.
During interrogation, Amorntep confessed he had returned to Thailand in early May 2026 and was about to resume work in Cambodia but was arrested beforehand. He admitted his role in the call center gang began as a mule account before joining the gang fully, where he impersonated a police officer in video calls to frighten victims into transferring money.
Authorities have handed him over to the Cyber Crime Division 1 for legal prosecution.