Rom harshly exposes flaws in the crackdown on call center scam gangs, suggesting it may be a staged failure to deceive the public. He questions why police have yet to issue arrest warrants for "Ben Smith and his wife" despite their enormous assets exceeding those of other networks.
On 17 February 2026, Mr. Rangsit Rom, Deputy Leader of the People’s Party, criticized the government and state agencies for their recent efforts to seize assets from scammer networks, describing the actions as far from successful and marked by several suspicious irregularities.
Rangsit pointed out that although an arrest warrant has been issued for "Jim Liak," no warrants have been issued for "Ben Smith" and his wife, despite clear evidence linking them and their possession of assets many times larger. The lack of warrants prevents requesting a "Red Notice" from Interpol to detain them, creating a loophole that allows the main perpetrators to move freely. Additionally, rumors circulate about ongoing lobbying to lift asset freezes, with only the Anti-Money Laundering Office showing seriousness, while the central investigation police remain inactive.
"Data clearly shows that transactions through the Huiyuan platform amount to as much as 3.3 trillion baht, encompassing all forms of illicit business. However, the previous 'Skyfall' operation failed to effectively expand its impact, leaving the criminal structure intact and allowing assets to be moved in time. The amount seized this round is minimal compared to the damage that should be compensated to victims," Rangsit said.
Regarding Cambodia’s declared crackdown on scammers, Rangsit said it is merely a survival show. The Huiyuan network is deeply connected to high-level figures in Cambodia, including influential relatives and major businessmen. Tracing the real money flow reveals that the country's authorities are all involved. He urged Thai officials to act transparently and sincerely, not just for appearances, and warned against letting major culprits escape.