CIB: Operation “Unmasking Online Romance Scams, Cyber Human Trafficking”
17 February 2026
*This article was translated using online tools. Mistakes may be present.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has launched the operation “Unmasking Online Romance Scams, Cyber Human Trafficking.”
The Royal Thai Police, under the direction of Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, in his capacity as Director of the Child Protection and Anti-Human Trafficking Center (TICAC), integrated with the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), jointly arrested Mr. Hassan (last name withheld), aged 19. He was a suspect under Yala Provincial Court Warrants No. 55/2569 and 56/2569, dated January 26, 2026, on charges of:
- Human trafficking by seeking benefit from the production or distribution of pornographic objects or media, committed against a person over fifteen but under eighteen years of age.
- Possession of child pornography for the purpose of seeking sexual benefit for oneself or others.
- For the purpose of trade or by trade, for distribution or for public display; making, producing, possessing, importing or causing to be imported into the Kingdom, exporting or causing to be exported out of the Kingdom, taking away or causing to be taken away, or making widespread by any means such child pornography.
- Engaging in trade, or being part of or involved in trade regarding child pornography, distributing or displaying it to the public, or renting out child pornography.
- Forcing, threatening, inducing, encouraging, or permitting a child to behave inappropriately or in a way likely to put the child at risk of committing an offense.
- Forcing, threatening, using, inducing, inciting, encouraging, or permitting a child to perform or act in an indecent manner, whether for compensation or any other purpose.
- Importing into a computer system any computer data of a pornographic nature that may be accessible by the general public.
Evidence seized:
- One black iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- One blue iPad (10th Gen).
Arrest Location: Sateng Subdistrict, Mueang Yala District, Yala Province.
Circumstances: Police officers from Sub-division 6, ATPD, together with the IPA (International Protection Alliance) organization, conducted an investigation and found a social media account that continuously posted messages, images, and video clips in a manner that advertised, solicited, and sold pornographic media related to children and youth.
Upon investigation, the suspect’s “Modus Operandi” was found to be the creation of fake Instagram accounts using profile pictures of attractive young women. He would then contact the victims, who were young men, to engage in conversations in a romantic or enticing manner. Once the victims felt comfortable and trusted him, the suspect would persuade them to record video clips or engage in video calls of an indecent nature.
The suspect then used these clips to blackmail the victims for money or used the content to disseminate and sell in secret groups on the Telegram application and other social media platforms to generate illegal income. Following the investigation, officials gathered evidence to request the court warrants, leading to the search and arrest at the suspect’s residence.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to all charges. He admitted that he had been doing this for a long time and had numerous victims across many provinces. The evidence found on his devices confirmed the widespread nature of his crimes. He was subsequently handed over to the inquiry officials of Sub-division 6, ATPD, for further legal proceedings.
Main Source:
https://www.amarintv.com/news/crime/538465
Other Sources:
- Official CIB Statement
- https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E7t4oEsU2/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLyNlYy6TY4
- Press Release
- https://www.facebook.com/fm91trafficpro/posts/pfbid02AeTyPYYSQb2ZYLNzhycjo4Mams8iJGwz8ruAhFMuF984YVkJR5iEv9wTd4gbYzaPl
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl5rbf5H22U
- https://today.line.me/th/v3/article/GgqzzoZ
- https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/502297
- https://today.line.me/th/v3/article/kE8N8l2
- https://www.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/39/iid/477374
- https://www.dailynews.co.th/articles/5620737/
- https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DYpZ6ULN6/