NationThailand-March 12
The Digital Economy and Society minister on Monday assured the Senate that the government is stepping up their crackdown on call-center gangs by increasing penalties on owners and providers of “mule” bank accounts. DEA Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong was responding to a question raised by Senator Maj Gen Osoth Phawilai, who inquired about the government’s prevention and suppression of call-centre gangs. The senator noted the criminal activities seemed to be becoming more rampant. Prasert replied that his DEA ministry and the government are aware of the increased efforts by call-center gangs to deceive the public.Prasert said the government is aware that the call-center gangs have been causing economic damage of about 70 million baht to 100 million baht daily. Prasert said the government has been integrating efforts from all agencies concerned to fight the gangs. He said the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has also been coordinating to trace transactions in order to impound bank accounts and assets of the gangs. Prasert said the Securities and Exchange Commission has also been coordinating to take action against those who defrauded the public with offers to invest in the stock market, while the Department of Special Investigation aids in investigations against cybercrimes. To target the mule accounts, Prasert said, a new executive decree on prevention and suppression of technology crimes will take effect on March 17. The new decree would subject those people who allow others to use their bank aor face a maximum jail term of three years and/or a maximum fine of 300,000 baht. The DEA minister said the government is also carrying out public awareness campaigns to make people aware of the gangs via several social media platforms, including Facebook, Line, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). Read more at: https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40036277
