The committee delved into a range of pressing issues, notably why victims are compelled to await the conclusion of their cases in order to reclaim their funds, despite the authorities already freezing the assets. Other key discussions included the possibility of extending jail sentences for those involved in the purchase or sale of private data from one to five years, curbing illegal money transfers via digital assets, and bolstering information exchange between agencies.
Mr. Prasert revealed that a subcommittee on legal affairs has been given the task of scrutinizing the legal nuances and drafting a bill addressing these concerns, which is to be presented to the cabinet within 30 days.
“While significant strides have been made in suppressing mule bank accounts and mule SIM cards, the efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and their masterminds, both domestically and internationally, remain unsatisfactory,” he stated. “We’ve identified some legal barriers that impede the process of tracing money and returning it to the victims. This necessitates a specialized law.”
The DES Ministry also presented updates on their efforts to curb online crime. Between July 1-31, there were 2,306 arrests connected to online crime, marking a 7.57% decrease compared to the average from the first quarter of the year. Arrests related to online gambling stood at 980, a 7.89% drop from the previous average.
Similarly, there were 208 arrests tied to mule accounts and mule SIM cards, reflecting a 13.33% decrease. Remarkably, in July alone, authorities managed to shut down 16,279 illegal websites—a staggering sevenfold increase from the 2,294 sites closed down in July of last year. Moreover, 6,519 illegal gambling websites were shuttered this July, compared to just 97 during the same month in the previous year.
As of July 31, a total of 920,694 suspected mule accounts and 71,122 SIM cards, which were used to make over 100 calls daily, were suspended. Out of these, only 418 owners had verified their identities.
Finally, a law that addresses technology crimes head-on! This has been long overdue.
It’s about time! But I wonder how effective it will be. Governments are notorious for dragging their feet on enforcement.
That’s true, Sam. But at least they’re making a start. It’s better than doing nothing.
Agree with Sam. Laws are only as good as their enforcement. Let’s see if they actually follow through.
I wonder if this law will also protect privacy rights or if it will just give the government more control.
Extending jail sentences for buying or selling private data is a step in the right direction. People need to know that there are real consequences.
But will longer sentences actually deter criminals? Sometimes they don’t even get caught.
Good point, John. But harsher penalties might deter at least some would-be offenders.
Longer sentences might just overcrowd our prisons. We need smarter solutions, not just harsher ones.
What about the people who get falsely accused? This law could ruin innocent lives if not handled carefully.
Curbing illegal money transfers via digital assets? Sounds like they’re targeting cryptocurrency. This could be a slippery slope.
Cryptocurrency needs regulation, though. It’s been like the Wild West, and people are losing fortunes to scams.
Regulate, yes. Overreach, no. We need a balanced approach.
Great to see action being taken against mule accounts and SIMs. They’re a massive problem in facilitating tech crimes.
Why is it taking so long for the authorities to return funds to victims? Freezing assets should be enough proof!
Shutting down illegal websites is a great move, but the numbers are staggering. Why did it take so long to ramp up efforts?
Bureaucracy, my friend. Bureaucracy kills efficiency.
Sad but true, Jonas. Still, a sevenfold increase is promising.
I’m glad they’re addressing the issue of tracing money. Victims deserve their money back swiftly.
Tracing money is one thing, but what about the root causes? We need more preventive measures.
I hope other countries take note and implement similar laws. Tech crimes are a global issue.
This sounds great in theory, but will this law just be more red-tape that slows things down?
That’s a valid concern. I hope it simplifies processes instead of complicating them.
We will have to wait and see, I guess. Too often, laws are more about appearances than effectiveness.
Kudos to DES for taking a proactive stance. We need more protective measures like this to keep up with evolving tech crimes.
I’m worried this law will be used to justify surveillance and infringe on our privacy rights.
That’s always a risk, but there has to be a balance. Protection and privacy shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
Interesting article. It’s clear that technology crimes require specialized laws. Good to see some progress.
Yes, but progress must be consistent. One law won’t solve everything if it’s not followed up with further actions.
The stats on arrest and website shutdowns are encouraging! It seems like a sign of real impact.
Sounds promising, but I’d like to see some follow-up in a few months. Will this momentum last?
Agreed! Consistent updates would be nice to hold them accountable.
Harsher penalties might be a deterrent, but we also need better resources for law enforcement to catch these criminals.
Exactly! Training and resources are just as important as the laws themselves.
It should not take victims having to wait until a case conclusion to get their funds back. This issue needs immediate resolution.