Thai police arrests five Indian nationals in Pattaya over illegal gambling

• Immigration officers arrested five Indian nationals after a raid in Pattaya
• The detainees are suspected of being involved in an illegal online gambling network
• The suspects may face charges for working without a permit, while an investigation into the gambling network continues

Illegal gambling remains a serious issue for a number of Asian countries, including India, China, Thailand and Macau, among others.

In one recent police operation, immigration officers in Thailand arrested several Indian nationals, who allegedly worked as administrators for an illegal online gambling network.

The police raid comes after a tip

Overall, five Indian nationals have been detained following a raid on Wednesday this week, a report from the local news outlet, the Bangkok Post, reveals.

The raid took place in Pattaya, and it followed a tip that several Indian nationals were working at a private residence.

Police raided a condominium in the Nong Prue of Bang Lamung district in Chon Buri Province, a dormitory suburb of Pattaya, and found five men, between the ages of 24 and 39, all of which Indian nationals.

In the room where the men were located, law enforcement found a number of electronic devices, including 22 mobile phones, three laptops, credit cards, notebooks and other evidence, all of which were seized.

Reportedly, the notebooks contained information about bank transfers involving sums of 2 million baht or approximately $62,000.

The Indian nationals may face charges for working without a permit

The five Indian nationals were detained on suspicion of being involved in illegal gambling.

During questioning, the suspects reportedly gave conflicting statements, with some admitting that they worked as administrators but refused to name a specific company.

Whether or not they were involved in the operation of an illegal online gambling network is yet to be determined.

Still, the five men claimed they were not involved in any unlawful activities.

However, the suspects may face charges for working without permits under Thailand's Foreigners' Working Management Decree BE 2560.

After the operation of the Chon Buri immigration police, the five Indian men were handed over to the Pattaya police.

It is unclear what punishment the five suspects may face.

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