Photos with scam suspect spark uproar as Thai PM faces questions over crackdown credibility

Thailand’s prime minister is embroiled in renewed political controversy after photos showing him with an alleged transnational scam kingpin went viral online just hours after he presided over a press conference announcing a nationwide crackdown on major criminal networks.

The images, which rapidly spread across social media platforms late on 3 December 2025, show Anutin Charnvirakul in a casual setting alongside South African national Benjamin Mauerberger, better known by the alias Ben Smith.

Another image also surfaced showing Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas in conversation with the same individual.

Opposition questions government credibility

Members of the opposition argued that the emergence of the photos threw into doubt the government’s commitment to confronting organised crime.

“Isn’t this something that shows someone like Ben Smith is untouchable?” People’s Party MP Rangsiman Rome wrote in a Facebook post that quickly gained traction.

Rangsiman also called on the prime minister to dismiss Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao, alleging he had associations with Mauerberger that could undermine public confidence in the government’s integrity.

The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the administration’s anti-scam efforts, particularly because of the timing of the images’ release.

Just hours earlier, Anutin had led a high-profile briefing detailing a renewed national operation against suspected transnational online scam syndicates, including asset seizures and forthcoming arrests.

Police seek more than 40 warrants

The Cybercrime Investigation Bureau confirmed that it was seeking Criminal Court warrants for the arrests of more than 40 individuals believed to be involved in extensive scam operations linked to call-centre fraud, online investment schemes, and human trafficking networks across the region.

Investigators said the networks were operating out of compounds in neighbouring countries, primarily Cambodia, with illicit funds channelled into Thailand through complex financial laundering structures.

The bureau stated that the investigations were ongoing and cross-border cooperation had been intensified.

Authorities have not named specific individuals subject to immediate warrants, including Mauerberger, though police have suggested that all suspects implicated will face legal proceedings under Thai law regardless of nationality or political associations.

Prime minister acknowledges acquaintance

On 4 December 2025, Anutin responded directly to the controversy, confirming that he knew Mauerberger but distancing himself from any close personal or financial relationship.

“Let’s put it this way — he is a friend of a friend of a friend,” Anutin told reporters. “So if you ask me whether I know him, I’ll say, ‘Yes, I do.’”

He explained that the photos were taken during what he described as an incidental meeting in Singapore in 2014. According to Anutin, the encounter involved only brief conversation, and he later crossed paths with Mauerberger “five or six times” at social events, where they exchanged little more than greetings.

“I don’t contact him, and I have no business or transactions with him,” he said, adding that he had not met or spoken to Mauerberger in recent years.

Asked whether the resurfacing of the images was politically motivated, Anutin hinted that the source of the leak was known to journalists but declined to provide details.

“Everybody knows who did it, and the reporters know too,” he said.

Citizenship dispute linked to cabinet row

Anutin also used the controversy to revisit political tensions from his previous tenure as interior minister during a Pheu Thai-led coalition government.

He claimed that he had refused to approve Thai citizenship for Mauerberger, describing the move as having placed him under political pressure to surrender the Interior Ministry portfolio.

“They didn’t kick me out of the coalition — I pulled out,” Anutin said, explaining that his party had been asked to give up the ministry in exchange for a transfer to lead the Health Ministry, a proposal he rejected.

“The Bhumjaithai Party wasn’t removed from government, but we were asked to give up the Interior portfolio, and we refused,” he said.

Anutin denied that any personal relationship affected the citizenship decision or current investigations. He insisted that police retained full legal independence over whether warrants would be issued.

“Under the rule of law, anyone implicated in the investigation will face an arrest warrant,” he said.

When a reporter suggested he was reluctant to take action against Mauerberger, Anutin reacted sharply.

“You know nothing,” he replied.

Allegations against alleged scam kingpin

Mauerberger has emerged as a significant public figure in recent months amid allegations linking him to extensive criminal operations across Southeast Asia.

The accusations involve the alleged orchestration of large-scale online scam networks, laundering illicit proceeds through regional financial systems, and running human trafficking operations tied to scam compounds in Cambodia.

Investigators also allege the movement of funds into Thailand to disguise and reintegrate criminal proceeds.

The issue gained renewed national attention after Rangsiman raised the allegations during a parliamentary debate late last month.

He claimed that Mauerberger maintained connections to influential political figures in both Cambodia and Thailand, citing alleged associations with Cambodian former prime minister Hun Sen, incumbent prime minister Hun Manet, and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao.

The allegations have also been examined by investigative journalist Tom Wright, widely recognised for exposing Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal.

Reporting by Wright and his team has detailed what they allege to be Mauerberger’s US$3.5 billion criminal “shadow empire” across Southeast Asia, although the claims remain subject to ongoing law enforcement investigation.

Singapore ministers faced backlash in May 2025 after photos linked them to S$3b money laundering convict at social dinners

The political optics of leaders being photographed alongside alleged criminal figures have drawn comparisons with a similar controversy in Singapore in May 2025.

At that time, images surfaced showing ministers Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat, along with former labour chief and MP Ng Chee Meng, attending private social dinners at which Su Haijin, later convicted for involvement in Singapore’s S$3 billion money laundering case, was also present.

The ministers stated in a joint response that they had no personal or professional ties to Su, explaining that they attended the dinners at the invitation of a friend and were unaware of any criminal activity.

In a 16 May statement, as reported by state media CNA, they said:”It is not practical for ministers to ensure they never meet, or have their photos taken with, individuals who may be or potentially may be bad persons.”

“The key is we do not do anything wrong in the way we discharge our duties, even as we make ourselves accessible to all segments of society.”

They reaffirmed the People’s Action Party government’s commitment to strict standards of integrity.

The matter escalated when a social media user falsely accused the ministers of condoning Su’s crimes, prompting legal letters demanding public apologies and damages.

Su was convicted of money laundering in April 2024 and sentenced to 14 months’ jail. He was deported to Cambodia in May 2024.