Bangkok: Cyber police have dismantled a major online gambling website with an annual turnover of over 2.5 billion baht. The site used AI to create fake profiles of actress Hay Apaporn to promote the site. Police also raided a payment gateway company handling the money transfers.
According to Thai News Agency, the operation revealed that the network was using artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake faces and voices of famous Thai country singer Hay Apaporn Nakhon Sawan to advertise and entice people to gamble online. Police also raided a payment gateway company linked to the gambling websites' money transfer system.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chachapandakarn Klaiklung, Deputy Commander of the Technology Crime Investigation Bureau (TCIB), along with other relevant officers, announced the results of the operation. They discovered the use of AI technology to falsify the image, voice, and gestures of "Hay Apaporn," deceiving the public into signing up for online gambling.
The investigation began during the FIFA World Cup 2026 when cyber patrol officers discovered a video on Facebook advertising online gambling. The video used AI to mimic Hay Apaporn, misleading viewers into believing she endorsed the gambling site. The investigation revealed links to a Facebook profile connected with an online gambling website called "KFC888" through a Line account named "HUAY69."
The website offered various gambling options, including online lottery and World Cup betting. A payment gateway service provider facilitated transactions for the gambling website, which had an annual turnover exceeding 2.5 billion baht. Authorities obtained search warrants and raided two locations in Bangkok.
The first raid took place at a luxury residence in the Ramkhamhaeng area, but yielded no suspects or illegal items. The second raid at a payment gateway company's office resulted in the seizure of computers and documents. The suspect was uncooperative during the search, attempting to disrupt the operation.
Summonses have been issued to the directors of the Payment Gateway company for organizing unauthorized gambling and violating the Computer Crime Act. Authorities are expanding the investigation to include accomplices and tracing financial transactions to seize related assets.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chachapandakarn emphasized the evolution of criminal techniques using AI to impersonate famous individuals for advertising. The case highlights the need for payment gateway providers to adhere to regulations to avoid facilitating illegal activities.
The Payment Gateway company involved lacked a proper business license and supported illegal transactions. Authorities are developing new investigative methods to counteract the concealment of money flows by online gambling and scam networks.
Hay Apaporn stated she had been aware of the issue for several months, having received information from fans and the public. She consulted with cyber police to protect her reputation after false associations with gambling surfaced. Despite attempts by suspects to keep the matter quiet, she cooperated with authorities to clear her name.
Hay Apaporn noted that many have been deceived by fake advertisements, with people contacting her about lottery winnings they never received. She acknowledged being a target due to her online presence and previous lottery-related posts, which scammers edited and used for deception.