Officers equipped with an “online Swat” group
This month, Pol Maj Gen Athip Pongsiwapai, captain of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD ), announced the opening of a digital forensics center to aid in the fight against crime.
The center will be equipped with cutting-edge systems and have a tech-savvy workforce to deal with those who spread false information or false information on social media websites, as well as organized crime networks that use technologies to mislead people or carry out illegal activities, such as stealing organization or individual data, he said.
He stated that the TCSD’s digital forensics center may be established this month.
” The centre is akin to a Swat]Special Weapons and Tactics ] unit. However, Pol Maj Gen Athip claimed that the Swat unit is operating online and gathering electronic evidence to detain and prosecute criminals.
He said the TCSD was the first officers organization, set up in 2009, to combat crime.
” Fake news involving democratic and security concerns ran ambush on social media between 2011 and 2012,” according to the report. But since 2014-2015, scenarios involving crime have been increasing”, he said.
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau was established in 2019 to improve efficiency in cyber-crime studies, he said.
” But the TCSD is primarily responsible for addressing cases involving hi-tech violence as well as crime that poses threats to national security,” the statement continued.
” This work is a difficult challenge. We must deal with criminals who use advanced technology while also providing information on hacking threats to prevent victims.
According to Pol Maj Gen Athip, “digital coaching for officers to fight computer criminals is also a priority.”
He claimed that the TCSD has taken action against Chinese nationals operating dark businesses in Thailand as well as call-centre swindlers.
He added that Thais who work with call-center scammers also need to be arrested and dealt with quickly.” We not only arrest thieves operating in Thailand, but also stop them from sneaking into Thailand via biological boundary crossings,” he said.
In December 2022, TCSD police even cut off cross-border digital cables used to help call-centre swindlers in Cambodia, he said.
Police searched businesses in Sa Kaeo province and discovered many high-speed internet cables spanning the Thai-Cambodian border and erected on energy poles.
The cords provided online access that is thought to be used by groups that have defrauded numerous Thai citizens. He claimed that authorities have discovered that the cables were being used improperly to block online access in the neighboring nation.
He added that law enforcement is likewise pursuing complaints about online gaming payment processors.
He claimed that when officers detain cyber crime suspects, their cell phones and other possessions, including computers and pills, are also taken for investigation.
The digital forensics center may be crucial in tracing and examining digital data recovered from seized products.
” Today, acts are extremely shifting online. Officers need to find digital information that may be left on mobile devices or other equipment, such as cash transfers, conversion, messages, and communications posted”, Pol Maj Gen Athip said.
” Some data and files may be deleted or changed. But the fresh center will have the technology to record, collect and retrieve them”, he said.
A total of 169 suspects have been detained for alleged involvement in cybercrime since November 14th, according to the Anti-Online Scam Operation Center ( AOS).
According to the AOC, each of them is allegedly linked to significant organized crime network, and the number of such situations is expected to rise even more.
Pol Col Patphawit Wongpinit, commander of the TCSD’s aid system, will be in charge of the electronic forensics center.
He claimed that scammers use tactics to conceal or face their identities and remove any trace of themselves online by using computer systems with data stored in computer devices.
” Soldiers may listen to them quickly using modern technology and tools. The staff at the center must have the necessary training to handle online information. They will also need to coordinate their efforts with those of other state companies and the secret business,” he added.
” Upskilling staff in modern technology may be challenging. Officials had constantly strive to learn new skills and develop their skills in order to keep up with computer criminals,” Pol Col Patphawit said.
He even issued a warning about website fraud by using artificial intelligence to fabricate fake images of people without their knowledge.