BANGKOK, Thailand – Cyber police have smashed a major online gambling syndicate with an annual turnover exceeding 2.5 billion baht, which used AI-generated deepfakes of a famous country singer to lure victims. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) launched the crackdown after discovering that the likeness, voice, and gestures of prominent Luk Thung country singer Apaporn “Hai” Nakonsawan had been forged using artificial intelligence to promote an illegal platform. According to the CCIB, the bust coincides with a surge in illegal gambling operations during the FIFA World Cup 2026. On May 17, cyber patrol officers flagged a Facebook Reels video under the account “Mother Hai’s Formula.” An investigation confirmed the clip used unauthorized AI deepfakes of the artist.
Police traced the operation from the Facebook profile to a LINE account named ‘HUAY69’, which raked in an average monthly turnover of 120 million baht. Subsequent raids were conducted at a luxury home in Ramkhamhaeng and an office on Rama IV Road. Company directors have been summoned to face charges of organizing illegal electronic gambling and violating the Computer Crime Act for distributing AI-altered content. Apaporn revealed she had been tracking the fraudulent ads for six months after fans alerted her, ultimately deciding to take legal action to protect her reputation as victims fell for the scam. (TNA)
