Police Bust 'Buffalo Gang' Cheating Elderly Millionaires of 64 Million Baht

MGR Online•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai police have apprehended members of the 'Buffalo Gang' involved in a 15-year scam that defrauded elderly millionaires of over 64 million baht through a gambling scheme.

•The 'Buffalo Gang' has been active for at least 15 years, targeting elderly millionaires across Thailand.
•The gang used a rigged 'Gamban Thua' (guessing pumpkin seeds) game to cheat victims out of large sums of money.
•Police arrested six individuals and are investigating 63 others suspected of involvement in money laundering.
•The operation, named 'Buffalo Hunter', has uncovered evidence of widespread fraud and the use of 'money mules'.

Overview

•The 'Buffalo Gang' has been operating for over 15 years, targeting elderly individuals across Thailand.
•Police launched the 'Buffalo Hunter' operation to dismantle the notorious 'Buffalo Gang'.
•The total financial loss incurred by victims due to the gang's activities reportedly exceeds 64 million Baht.
•The 'Buffalo Gang' uses a rigged gambling game, known as 'Gamban Thua', to deceive victims.
•Six individuals were arrested under charges of conspiracy, extortion, and property fraud.
•The gang targeted elderly millionaires who were selling assets or had substantial wealth.
•Authorities are expanding the investigation to include money laundering charges and are monitoring 63 individuals involved in similar scams.
•The public is urged to report any past or present scams by such groups to the authorities.

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Key Quotes

Pol. Maj. Gen. Suwat Saengnum

"The suspects have been committing crimes for over 15 years, resulting in numerous victims."

กลุ่มผู้ต้องหาได้กระทำความผิดมานานกว่า 15 ปีจนมีผู้เสียหายจำนวนมาก

Pol. Maj. Gen. Phattanasak Bhuphasuwan

" 'Buffalo Gang' is a southern colloquial term for a group behavior of con artists who trick villagers into gambling."

"แก๊งควาย" เป็นศัพท์ท้องถิ่นที่คนภาคใต้ใช้เรียกกลุ่มที่มีพฤติกรรมเป็น 18 มงกุฎที่หลอกชาวบ้านมาเล่นการพนัน

Pol. Maj. Gen. Phattanasak Bhuphasuwan

"We urge victims who have been scammed to come forward and provide more information."

ขอให้ผู้เสียหายที่เคยถูกหลอกเข้ามาแจ้งเบาะแสเพิ่มเติม

Key Entities

Organization

Patrolling Police(กองปราบ)

The Thai law enforcement agency that conducted the 'Buffalo Hunter' operation to arrest the scam gang.

Buffalo Gang(แก๊งควาย)

The criminal group that defrauded elderly millionaires through a gambling scam over a 15-year period.

Office of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO)(สำนักงานป้องกันและปราบปรามการฟอกเงิน (ปปง.))ℹ️

The government agency to which the Patrolling Police will report for investigation into potential money laundering activities of the 'Buffalo Gang'.

Person

Pol. Maj. Gen. Suwat Saengnum(พล.ต.ต.สุวัฒน์ แสงนุ่ม)

Deputy Commander of the Central Investigation Bureau who announced the results of the 'Buffalo Hunter' operation.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Phattanasak Bhuphasuwan(พล.ต.ต.พัฒนศักดิ์ บุปผาสุวรรณ)

Commander of the Patrolling Police Division who explained the meaning of 'Buffalo Gang' and urged for public cooperation.

Pol. Col. Thanawat Hin Yokhin(พ.ต.อ.ธนวัฒน์ หิ้นยกฮิ่น)

Chief of Investigation Unit 5, Patrolling Police Division, who detailed the investigation process leading to the arrests.

Ms. Pimsa or Hong(น.ส.พิมพ์ศา หรือหงส์)

A 62-year-old suspect arrested as a leader of the 'Buffalo Gang', allegedly involved in the gambling scams.

Mrs. Tiwalai or Lin(นางทิวาลัย หรือหลิน)

A 71-year-old suspect arrested as a leader of the 'Buffalo Gang', allegedly involved in the gambling scams.

Mr. Phot(นายพจน์)

A 55-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the 'Buffalo Gang' scam operations.

Ms. Suchira(น.ส.สุจิรา)

A 63-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the 'Buffalo Gang' scam operations.

Mr. Preeda(นายปรีดา)

A 63-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the 'Buffalo Gang' scam operations.

Mr. Thanakit(นายธนกฤต)

A 65-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the 'Buffalo Gang' scam operations.

Place

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Surat Thani(กรุงเทพฯ, เชียงใหม่, สมุทรปราการ, นครศรีธรรมราชและ สุราษฎร์ธานี)

Locations across Thailand where the 'Buffalo Gang' members were apprehended.

Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province(หัวหิน จ.ประจวบคีรีขันธ์)ℹ️

The location where one of the victims was selling land and was initially approached by the 'Buffalo Gang'.