Phuket: The Ministry of Justice, through the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), has initiated an operation to dismantle a sophisticated hacking network targeting government websites, which is linked to online gambling and fraudulent activities with a turnover exceeding 20 billion baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Police Lieutenant General Ruttapol Naowarat, the Minister of Justice, is prioritizing the crackdown on illegal gambling, fraud, and cybercrime, aligning with the government’s directive to swiftly address online crimes and safeguard public interests. The Department of Special Investigation, specifically its Technology and Information Crime Division, has expanded its investigation and efforts to apprehend a network implicated in attacking government agency websites in Trang, Phuket, Ratchaburi, and Amnat Charoen provinces. Investigations have uncovered connections to a major online gambling network with significant financial turnover.
The investigation revealed that suspects infiltrated government websites, inserting script files to redirect visitors to online gambling sites. This tactic was aimed at creating ‘backlinks’ to improve the gambling websites’ rankings in Google’s search engine results. Such manipulation misled citizens accessing government services online, exposing them to illegal content and undermining the integrity of government information systems. The operation also discovered over 100 mule bank accounts used to facilitate money flow within the scam network, further complicating the trail of illicit financial activities linked to the gambling operations.
The network engaged in advanced tactics, including the use of cryptocurrency exchanges to obfuscate financial flows. This activity constitutes several crimes, including organizing unlicensed online gambling, money laundering, unauthorized computer access, and the misuse of bank accounts for criminal purposes.
Officials recently arrested two suspects, Ms. Narinporn and Mr. Phacharadanai, in Phuket Province, adding to the 14 apprehensions already made, totaling 16 arrests out of the 23 suspects identified. The arrested individuals are primarily responsible for managing the network’s financial operations. Authorities are extending their investigation to capture additional network members and delve into the financial ties of the victims and network leaders.
This incident highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals exploiting vulnerabilities within government agencies. The Department of Special Investigation remains committed to expanding its investigation and collaborating with relevant entities to prevent recurrence. The DSI calls for government agencies to strengthen cybersecurity measures and proactively address system vulnerabilities to protect the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure and public from online threats.