PATTAYA, Thailand – Police seized two SIM box devices hidden above a ceiling in a fourth-floor room of a central Pattaya rental building, as investigators pursue a suspected call center network linked to a 15,000-baht fraud case. The search was conducted at around 5 p.m. on October 27 at PATTAYA CHARM, a building offering daily and monthly rentals in Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi.
The operation involved officers from Provincial Police Region 2’s investigation division, Pattaya Police Station, Chonburi Immigration and forensic personnel. The operation was conducted under the direction of Provincial Police Region 2 Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Wasan Techa-akharakasem. Inside room A8 on the fourth floor, officers found two 32-slot SIM box devices concealed above the ceiling. They also seized a SIM-based internet router, a CCTV camera, two signal antennas and a power strip as evidence. The room’s tenant had fled before officers arrived. Investigators have withheld the tenant’s details to avoid affecting the ongoing case and are working to identify and locate those involved.
The investigation began after a victim reported being contacted by callers impersonating AIS telecommunications staff and police officers. The callers allegedly accused the victim of registering a phone number connected to online gambling and money laundering, then persuaded the victim to transfer money to verify their innocence. The victim transferred 15,000 baht before filing a complaint through the Thai Police Online system on October 23.
Investigators from Provincial Police Region 2 believe the suspected network may have used SIM box equipment, also known as a GSM gateway, to facilitate the operation. Leads from the investigation pointed to the rental room, prompting officers to carry out the search. Police are continuing to investigate the seized equipment and pursue further leads in an effort to identify the people behind the suspected call center network and bring those responsible to justice.
