Japanese Scam Boss Linked to Poipet Operation Arrested in Bangkok
Japanese Scam Boss Linked to Poipet Operation Arrested in Bangkok
BANGKOK, June 7, 2026 — Thai immigration police have arrested a Japanese national accused of leading a major call centre fraud network operating from Poipet, Cambodia, in a joint operation with Japanese authorities.
The suspect, identified as 39-year-old M. Sasaki, was arrested in Bangkok’s Thonglor district on June 6. Authorities allege he headed a Japanese-speaking scam syndicate that targeted victims in Japan and caused financial losses amounting to several billion yen.
The operation was conducted under cooperation between Thailand’s Immigration Bureau and Japanese law enforcement agencies as part of a broader campaign against transnational fraud and human trafficking networks.
According to investigators, Mr. Sasaki is wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Nagoya Court on April 1, 2026, on fraud-related charges. Japanese authorities identified him as a senior figure in a criminal organisation allegedly operating call centre scams from Cambodia.
The investigation intensified after Japanese police expanded probes into fraud syndicates based in Cambodia. Authorities believe the suspect coordinated activities across multiple countries before relocating to Thailand, where he was reportedly living with family members.
Thai investigators tracked him to Bangkok and arrested him without incident. He is expected to face extradition proceedings and be transferred to Japanese authorities for prosecution.
Japanese investigators also allege the network maintained links to transnational organised crime groups and may have been involved in recruiting and coercing individuals to work in scam compounds, raising concerns about cross-border human trafficking.
Thai police said dismantling call centre syndicates and trafficking networks remains a national priority, adding that international cooperation is critical to preventing criminal groups from using regional countries as operational bases or transit points.
