Chinese gambling ring bust in Thailand

Thai Police have arrested 13 suspects alleged to have been running an illegal online gambling syndicate in the coastal town, and tourist hotspot, Pattaya.

The crackdown follows a previous investigation in which the arrest of five of the Chinese suspects, alleged to have been part of the gambling ring, led to further raids and the detention of another eight syndicate members, all of whom are Chinese nationals.

Authorities seized 15 computers, 4 internet routers, a mobile recorder, 5 sheets of client’s bank details, web program sheets used to access on-line gambling accounts, a NASA website online account, accountancy books, and other recordings of client and staff details.

Ming Chou Lee, who admitted to being the ring leader, told authorities he was hired by a Chinese based investor to travel to Thailand as a tourist and find a suitable place to establish an online gambling operation enabling Chinese clients to wager online, the Pattaya People publication reported.

Police estimate the operation, established a few months ago, has already brought in millions of Thai Baht of which Ming Chou Lee was paid a monthly salary of 100,000 Baht and other syndicate members between 25,000 – 35,000 Baht per month.

All thirteen suspects have been charged and legal proceedings initiated. They will be placed on a blacklist and banned from entering Thailand once they have served any sentences the Courts hand down.

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