Thailand immigration police have detained five Indian nationals in Pattaya after raiding a condominium suspected of being used as a base for online gambling administration. The raid followed intelligence reports that foreign workers were operating illegal online services from a residential building in Soi Thep Prasit 17 in Nong Prue, according to local media reports.
Earlier this month, Thailand’s government had announced the formation of a special task force to trace suspicious financial flows linked to online gambling, scams, and other illicit activities that may have been strengthening the baht despite weak economic fundamentals. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas had said the new “data bureau” would integrate information from multiple agencies and financial institutions to identify and track irregular money movements.
During the raid, officers found five men aged between 24 and 39 working on laptop computers inside the condominium room. Police seized three laptops, 22 mobile phones, one tablet, several credit cards and notebooks containing detailed financial records. Investigators said the notebooks included transaction data worth several million Indian rupees, which is roughly equal to THB 2 million (US$54,000).
Authorities suspect the money is linked to online gambling platforms targeting foreign customers. Police are now examining whether the group managed customer inquiries, processed payments or handled player verification for gambling websites that operate offshore.
According to immigration police, the five men initially denied involvement in illegal activity. However, during questioning they reportedly gave conflicting statements. Officers said the group later admitted to working as online administrators who responded to customer inquiries. They refused to reveal what type of services they provided.
Investigators believe the group could be part of a larger network that uses Thailand as an administrative base while running offshore gambling platforms. Such networks often rely on support teams to manage customer service and financial transactions for websites operating outside Thai jurisdiction.
The suspects are currently being detained for further questioning. Immigration and cybercrime officers are examining the seized devices and financial records to identify the full scope of the operation. Police said more charges may follow once investigators complete a detailed assessment of the digital evidence.
Authorities in Thailand have increased their efforts to curb illegal online gambling activity. Investigations often target administrative hubs that support offshore platforms by handling customer communication, payment processing and identity checks. Officials say these operations play a key role in allowing illegal gambling sites to function without direct presence in the countries where they attract customers.
Police are also exploring whether the detained men are connected to other foreign-run operations in Thailand. Investigators believe similar administrative setups may exist in Pattaya and other tourist cities where foreign workers can operate discreetly from rented residential units.
Recently, Thai police had launched an investigation into the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) after a Filipino contestant was seen promoting an online gambling brand during pre-pageant events in Bangkok. The incident, which allegedly breached Thailand’s strict anti-gambling laws, had occurred just weeks before the Miss Universe 2025 grand finale.
#Thailand #OnlineGambling #IllegalGambling #Cybercrime #ImmigrationPolice #FinancialCrime #Pattaya #LawEnforcement #Regulation #GamingIndustry
Welcome to Gambling Consulting Authority (GCA) - Your Strategic Partner in Gambling Industry Advancement
