A view of the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Unsplash
Thai authorities have arrested three Taiwanese nationals at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport after discovering phones in their luggage linked to online scams across Thailand.
The arrests took place on June 3 after airport security flagged suspicious items during a baggage scan. Inside the trio’s checked luggage, officials discovered 19 mobile phones, which contained data connected to fraudulent activities, according to Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, the Bangkok Post reported.
Customs officers found bank account details on the devices that matched those listed on the Royal Thai Police’s scam alert database. Authorities believe the accounts were used to facilitate online shopping and currency exchange scams, which have defrauded people in multiple localities, Thaiger reported.
Police said the suspects, whose names have not been released, have criminal records in Taiwan for offenses including money laundering and illegal gambling. This was reportedly their first visit to Thailand.
The three remain in custody as investigators work to determine the full extent of their involvement and whether others are connected to the operation.
