Former Cambodian senator wanted in Thailand over alleged scam-linked money laundering
Thai police are investigating former Cambodian senator Ly Yong Phat for allegedly laundering money tied to online scam networks. Arrest warrants were issued for Ly, his aide and three Chinese nationals after raids uncovered US$10.9 million in assets. Authorities said Ly fled to Cambodia before the warrants were issued, and his Thai citizenship has been revoked.
- Thailand issued arrest warrants for ex-Cambodian senator Ly Yong Phat and four others over alleged money laundering tied to scam operations.
- Police seized assets worth about US$10.9 million in coordinated raids across Bangkok and Trat province.
- Prime Minister Anutin revoked Ly’s Thai citizenship; he reportedly fled to Cambodia before his arrest warrant was issued.
BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thailand’s Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Cambodian senator and businessman Ly Yong Phat and four associates over alleged involvement in a money laundering operation linked to large-scale online fraud.
The warrants, approved on 30 October, target Ly, 67, his close aide Supapap (also known as Chokchai Suphapa), 37, and three Chinese nationals accused of helping launder funds from transnational scam networks, according to The Bangkok Post.
Authorities believe the suspects funnelled proceeds from extensive cybercrime operations through complex financial channels to conceal their origins.
Assets worth millions seized
On 9 November, joint teams from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) conducted coordinated raids on 36 properties in Bangkok and Trat province.
Officials seized assets valued at approximately 400 million baht (US$10.9 million), including property deeds, luxury goods, and bank accounts. Investigators also froze a five-million-baht plot of land in Trat’s Muang district and 88.2 million baht across multiple bank accounts.
The operation forms part of Thailand’s broader crackdown on cybercrime and financial fraud, initiated under the administration of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who designated such offences a national security concern.
Revocation of citizenship
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revoked Ly’s Thai citizenship last month after officials determined that he retained Cambodian nationality, contravening Thai naturalisation laws.
Authorities have also accused Ly, who previously operated under the Thai name Phat Suphapha, of engaging in illegal business activities. Police sources reported that Ly departed Thailand for Cambodia on 10 October, before the warrant’s issuance.
Broader crackdown on cross-border scams
The investigation into Ly’s activities comes amid intensified Thai efforts to dismantle cross-border scam syndicates operating in partnership with networks in Cambodia and Laos.
Police recently dismantled a similar operation allegedly managed by Kok An, a Cambodian businessman known as the “Godfather of Poipet.”
Pol Lt Gen Surapol Prembutr, CCIB commissioner, said that evidence collected over several months indicated Ly’s network systematically divided tasks to launder illicit funds and share profits among members.
Further arrests and ongoing probes
Separately, assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej led another operation on 9 November, raiding a luxury condominium in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit area.
Four Chinese nationals — Xiahou Xin, 29; Liu Ming, 28; Li Lei, 22; and Zeng Lingquan, 21 — were detained for alleged involvement in a transnational crime syndicate and drug possession. Police seized laptops, mobile phones, and narcotics from the premises.
Royal Thai Police spokesperson Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thumsuthee confirmed that Prime Minister Anutin would hold a press conference at police headquarters on Monday to announce the results of the operation and outline future enforcement measures.
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