In a bold crackdown, seven Vietnamese nationals have been detained in Pathum Thani, Thailand, for their involvement in an unauthorized online lending operation, reportedly imposing hefty floating interest rates on Vietnamese clients. This key event, which unfolded yesterday, June 22, was spearheaded by a joint force comprising immigration, cybercrime, and tourist police officers. Their meticulous efforts culminated in a raid on a residence nestled within a housing estate in the Lam Luk Ka district. The police were tipped off by vigilant security personnel who noticed unusual activity; foreigners were seen moving computers and electronic gadgets into the property, raising suspicions.
The officers made their entrance by seeking permission from a Vietnamese national found at the door as another foreigner hastily retreated upstairs. Inside the premises, five additional individuals were caught engaged in intense computer work, reminiscent of a bustling office environment. Interestingly, one of the seven did not possess a passport, adding another layer to the story. An examination of their digital devices spilled the beans on their clandestine activities, uncovering myriad loan records. One startling find was a loan amounting to 8 million Vietnamese dong, translating to roughly 10,000 baht or US$305. The repayment plan for this loan demanded the debtor remit daily instalments of 265,000 dong, about 332 baht, for 40 days, reflecting a staggering interest rate of 32.5%, way beyond the legal boundaries.
The apprehended individuals owned up to their roles as administrators of this online lending service, which aggressively marketed loans to Vietnamese citizens via Facebook. Their modus operandi included collecting personal data from borrowers, instructing them to delete their iCloud accounts, and craft new ones, effectively allowing them to seize control of the clients’ devices. In a shrewd yet nefarious twist, defaulters found their accounts locked, rendering their phones unusable—a de facto repossession.
The suspects came forward, acknowledging that their operations were a significant infraction in Vietnam, spurring their move to Thailand where, perhaps to their surprise, it remained illegal. The group, aged between 19 and 46, now faces charges of engaging in unlawful group activities and working illegally as foreign nationals, with their fate dangling before the Immigration Police Division 3.
In a somewhat parallel narrative, a 20-year-old woman from Saraburi was put under scrutiny for orchestrating an illicit loan operation, specifically targeting minors. Her predatory practice involved jaw-dropping interest rates up to 300%, with a reputation of intimidating young borrowers, predominantly girls aged between 13 and 16, into repaying the loans.
These cases underscore the persistent issue of unauthorized lending and financial exploitation that looms large, particularly with the sophistication brought about by digital platforms. They serve as a reminder of the crucial need for international collaboration to tackle such transgressions and the importance of robust law enforcement to protect victims from financial predators. Meanwhile, the news circuit remains agog with other happenings, from a dramatic hotel raid in Bangkok to weather updates easing us into the rainy season. Stay tuned as Thailand wrestles with its complexities and unfolds new chapters in its ever-vibrant narrative.
These schemes are outrageous! It’s a shame that people are taking advantage of others like this using digital platforms.
I can’t believe that there are people who still fall for these scams. Doesn’t anyone read the fine print anymore?
Not everyone understands the legalese in these agreements. It’s cruel to exploit people’s ignorance.
This issue reflects a deeper problem within financial literacy. Many victims simply lack basic financial education.
Why isn’t the international community doing more to prevent these illegal activities? It seems like every week there’s a new scam.
It’s hard to regulate the internet. Authorities can’t keep up with how fast technology is evolving.
True, but more rigorous policies and international cooperation could help curb these issues.
This is just another example of how global the internet crime world has become. We need global solutions for a global problem.
Isn’t it weird that these criminals thought it would be easier to operate in Thailand than Vietnam? They clearly underestimated local law enforcement.
Probably thought they could exploit the system or lack of coordination between countries.
They were clearly uninformed about local regulations or figured they’d be less of a target.
Sad to see so many people affected by these criminals. But isn’t it suspicious how quickly these cases are ‘solved’ as soon as the media gets wind of them?
The audacity of these operations is mind-boggling. How did they even manage to manage such high interests and lock people out of their phones?!
These schemes are designed to trap the victims. It’s disgusting but also sadly not unusual.
It emphasizes the urgent need for better cyber security laws and international policies.
True, but enforcing these laws internationally is easier said than done.
Definitely, yet it’s a necessary move to curb these digital crimes.
I can’t believe people are still surprised by these scams. They’re getting more sophisticated every year.
It’s infuriating how these scams target the most vulnerable, especially young people and minorities. We need to educate these groups more effectively.
While I think it’s good that they’ve been caught, what about the victims? Will they get any compensation?
Typically not. Once that money is gone, it’s near impossible to recover it.
Can these criminals actually face severe penalties, or are they going to escape with just a slap on the wrist?
Depends on the jurisdiction and local laws. However, in many cases, penalties tend to be lenient.
I wonder how many other operations like this are still running unnoticed.
Social media platforms like Facebook need to crack down harder on these types of advertisements. They have a responsibility too.
Yes, but there’s a fine line between regulation and stifling business.
Balancing that is definitely a challenge. Nonetheless, protection should be a priority.
I find it hard to believe that big tech companies are unaware of these scams. They’re just not incentivized to act.
It sounds like an episode from a crime TV show. Can’t believe it’s happening in real life!
Totally, these stories seem unreal but they affect real people every day.