KUALA LUMPUR — A Malaysian man wanted for allegedly running a scam operation was arrested in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand on Sunday after fleeing Poipet township in Cambodia amid border clashes.
The 29-year-old suspect had been under surveillance following the arrest of an Indonesian-Thai couple, known only as Kevin and Jiranan, for installing four SIM boxes in a Bangkok condominium, Pol Maj Gen Chanannat Sarathawanphaet, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, said.
According to the Bangkok Post, the couple was apprehended at a luxury pool villa in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi and told authorities that Ang Joo Heng was their employer and resided in Poipet.
Thai police said the Malaysian reportedly crossed into Sa Kaeo using a natural route to escape the fighting along the border.
He was taken into custody near the frontier in tambon Khlong Nam Sai, Aranyaprathet district.
Pol Maj Gen Chanannat said Ang allegedly admitted to instructing the couple to install the SIM boxes at multiple locations in Thailand.
Each device contained numerous local SIM cards, which tricked telecom networks into routing international calls, and were reportedly used by call centre scammers.
The case has been transferred to investigators for further legal proceedings. – December 23, 2025