Catching the Con Artists: An International Edition
The newly appointed head of the anti-trafficking unit at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) states that they are prepared to intensify efforts against fraudsters and illicit operators working across the borders, aiming to enhance the nation’s standing on the United States’ human trafficking watchlist.
The recently named head of the CIB’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), Pol Maj Gen Songklod Krirkkitaya, stated that the government’s offensive against fraud rings near the borders has been successful.
People from across the globe have been saved from facilities managed by criminal groups in Thailand who had deceived them into coming for what they were told would be legal employment.
His primary emphasis currently is differentiating genuine victims from those accused individuals pretending to be victims as a means of evading potential legal consequences.
Therefore, law enforcement agencies have modified their strategy. For example, the ATPD has devised a novel technique to assist officials in determining which individuals rescued were genuine victims of criminal organizations.
Currently, whether they are Thai or foreign nationals who have been rescued from scams operating across the borders will undergo a detailed 74-question interview aimed at identifying the criminals within the group of detainees.
The screening method was implemented by Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, who leads the Anti-Human Trafficking Centre within the Royal Thai Police, following revelations that numerous Thai nationals found in fraudulent operations across Cambodia had initially departed from Thailand with their consent to engage in illegal activities orchestrated by criminal organizations.
Pol Maj Gen Songklod stated that individuals involved in smuggling people and scams have identified weaknesses within the procedures. As a result, numerous detainees frequently fabricate claims to suggest they were victims of human trafficking organizations.
In a recent instance, it was discovered that out of 119 individuals claiming victimhood, they were actually voluntary participants after thorough investigations and examinations of their smartphones.
In comparison to the previous eight-question screening method employed by law enforcement, the updated version is more comprehensive. It includes additional inquiries about an individual’s travel background, places of stay, and daily engagements.
Lt. Gen. Pol Maj Songklod stated that the information gathered from the screenings could serve as grounds for issuing arrest warrants.
BORDER CROSSINGS
General Pol Maj Songklod stated that Thailand’s initiatives to assist nations aiming to recover their nationals trapped in scam operations could enhance the nation’s position in the U.S. State Department’s yearly Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.
As law enforcement agencies combat the syndicate’s operations locally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborates with diplomatic missions abroad to both return individuals deceived into working overseas by fraudsters and inform these countries about any dubious transnational actions involving their nationals.
Two major points of entry where human trafficking flourishes are the Mae Sot district in Tak province to the west, adjacent to Myanmar; and Sa Kaeo province to the east, near Cambodia’s border.
At the Huai Hin Fon checkpoint in Mae Sot, officials are deployed as part of an important border management center. Each non-resident passing through this point undergoes a thorough 74-item questionnaire. These findings are then sent to Pol Gen Thatchai.
The passage through the Sa Kaeo border presents a distinct difficulty due to the many natural pathways available for individuals to traverse.
Gen Pol Maj Songklod admitted that the majority of Thai nationals involved in unlawful employment in Cambodia utilize these pathways. It is believed that this group consists of tens of thousands of individuals.
BIG DATA LEAD
CIB’s efforts are supported by an extensive big data system and the Real-Time Crime Centre, which acts as a centralized hub for combating criminal activities.
Under the guidance of Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, the CIB has prepared a strategy to break down human trafficking rings both within the country and abroad. The plan also includes strengthening legal frameworks to boost law enforcement actions and provide better aid and safeguards for victims. This initiative requires collaboration with various government entities to offer help, recovery programs, and protective measures for witnesses.
Furthermore, anti-trafficking law enforcement personnel will adhere to standardized operational procedures (SOPs) ensuring that anti-trafficking initiatives align with globally recognized benchmarks, as stated by Pol Maj Gen Songklod. These officers will receive additional instruction to enhance their investigation techniques and capacity for supporting victims.
Working together with governmental bodies as well as private and international organizations can enhance information sharing and broaden the scope of efforts aimed at suppressing various activities.
Upon completing his education at the Royal Police Cadet Academy, Pol Maj Gen Songklod went on to earn a master’s degree in government administration in the United States. Throughout his extensive career, he has taken on numerous responsibilities such as working in administrative and traffic policing, engaging in crime suppression efforts, and serving with the Special Branch police force prior to being appointed as the chief of the ATPD.
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