A deadly traffic accident occurred in Kamphaeng Phet Province, northern Thailand, but police discovered a large number of suspicious communication tools and grouping materials in the vehicle wreckage, revealing a possible case within a case, and suspected links to a transnational telecom fraud syndicate. Police stated that the crashed vehicle had previously been put on a watch list, suspected of being used to transport foreign 'piglets' (abducted individuals) to the border before being sent to scam centers in neighboring countries. Authorities are now investigating in the direction of organized crime.
According to Sing Tao Daily, Phlankadai District police reported that around 6:20 a.m. on Thursday, they received a report stating that a seven-seater vehicle with Bangkok license plates had lost control and crashed into a roadside tree. Police and rescuers arrived at the scene to find the front and right side of the car severely deformed and twisted, with three people trapped inside and fatally crushed, all confirmed dead at the scene.
23 Smartphones Found in Deceased's Backpack
The deceased included a 57-year-old Thai driver named Thip and two Chinese passengers. While clearing the scene and examining the belongings of the deceased, police discovered as many as 23 smartphones in a backpack, along with a collection of communication equipment materials that had been labeled and grouped, including tags with locations such as 'Miami' and 'Texas.' According to police, this labeling method is similar to the way telecom fraud syndicates commonly divide up their communication routes, accounts, and division of labor, which has raised suspicions.
Immigration police subsequently joined the investigation, revealing that the involved pickup truck had been put on a watch list in November last year on suspicion of 'cross-border transporting foreign nationals.' The vehicle had previously been spotted in Kamphaeng Phet Province, but the trail was lost. The accident has now brought to light this suspected 'black transport route.' Police believe the vehicle may have been acting on instructions to transport foreign nationals to border areas, before handing them over to scam parks or dens in neighboring countries.
Police stated that they will verify whether the vehicle involved was using fake plates or had any other registration issues, and will conduct technical forensic examinations of the recovered phones’ call records, chat data, location tracks, and relevant communication information to track down masterminds, financial flows, and collaborative networks. The case is still under intensive investigation.