On the Radar: Unraveling the Tee Yai 888 Gambling Syndicate
Arrested: Alleged Operators of Gambling Syndicate
Thailand's Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has taken down a notorious online gambling network, known as Tee Yai 888, following an extensive crackdown in five provinces. The operation resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals, including the network's owners, and the confiscation of assets worth around 50 million baht.
Pol Maj Gen Withaya Sriprasertparp, the CSD commander, led a group of 80 officers who conducted raids at 14 locations spanning Buri Ram, Chon Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani on Sunday. The Tee Yai 888 network, active in the lower Northeast, was accused of causing widespread harm in the region with victims losing substantial funds to the suspects, as they boasted their lavish wealth online.
The mastermind behind the operation, a couple going by the names Nithithiwat and Nawaporn, were caught red-handed during their vacation at a villa in Pattaya. Both confessed to charges related to illegal gambling and money laundering. The 11 other suspects under arrest served as mule account owners, gambling site administrators, and accountants, from whom the police retrieved 23 vehicles, 49 land title deeds, and gold.
The network came to existence in 2022 and later expanded its offerings beyond football matches, baccarat, and slot machines in 2023. They laundered their revenue by investing in multiple front companies such as construction and car rental firms. According to Pol Maj Gen Withaya, over 600 million baht was transacted through the network over the past two years.
Upon examination of seized evidence, police discovered 30 bank accounts and 29 ATM cards. The network had cleverly utilized these accounts and mule accounts managed by relatives and associates to move funds and hide profits. This investigative triumph against organized online gambling in Thailand demonstrates the relentless efforts of law enforcement to protect vulnerable citizens from such illicit activities.
- The arrest of Nithithiwat and Nawaporn, the masterminds behind Tee Yai 888 gambling syndicate, took place during their vacation in Pattaya.
- The Tee Yai 888 network, which started in 2022, expanded to include casino-games such as football matches, baccarat, and slot machines in 2023.
- The general news of crime and justice in Thailand , a luxurious villa in Pattaya, was the locus of the arrests related to theTees Yai 888 Casino-and-gambling network.
- The confiscation of assets worth around 50 million baht from the Tee Yai 888 network includes 23 vehicles, 49 land title deeds, and gold.
- Following the arrests of 13 individuals, the Football community in Thailand may face a respite from the illegal operations of the Tee Yai 888 gambling syndicate.
