Thai authorities arrests, deports Chinese national over involvement in gambling website

At China’s request, Thai authorities arrested and expulsed a Chinese national who was allegedly involved in a gambling website valued at THB 2.5 billion ($70 million).

This action was confirmed by the Thai Immigration Bureau, which said that Huang, the 32-year-old suspect, was detained in response to a request for assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand.

The Tianjin State Security Bureau in China’s Nankai region has reportedly filed lawsuits against the Zhonghe criminal cell for engaging in fraudulent activities, according to diplomatic reports. Chinese citizens were allegedly drawn to illegal gambling by this group, who operated the WANHE Football gambling website from outside of mainland China.

The website, which was operational from March 2022 to April 2023, encouraged users to gamble on sports. For Chinese users, this meant potential losses exceeding THB 25 billion ($70 million).

In December of last year, an arrest warrant was issued for Huang after further investigations revealed that he had been involved in the promotion and advertising of the illicit gambling network. Huang entered Thailand using a passport from Cambodia after fleeing China.

On February 8, he was apprehended by Thai immigration officers in Bangkok’s Sathon area. He has now been sent back to China to answer to judicial proceedings.

Original story by: Asia Gaming Brief