Police Bust Major Illegal Gambling Network, Arrest Malaysian Kingpin
Police arrested a 48-year-old Malaysian man running an illegal gambling network that laundered approximately 10 million baht through cryptocurrency and fake accounts, seizing 16 million baht in cash and other assets during the bust.
On August 3, 2025, the Technology Crime Suppression Division commander ordered officers to arrest Lim Teck Wee, a 48-year-old Malaysian national, under criminal court warrant No. 5213/2569 dated September 1, 2024. He faces charges of operating electronic gambling platforms, money laundering conspiracy, and money laundering. Police seized 16 million baht in cash, six mobile phones, bank passbooks, ATM cards, and a currency counter.
The arrest followed "Operation VAR," which dismantled the Soodaza website that illegally broadcast foreign football matches and embedded advertisements for over 20 UFA gambling sites, resulting in four earlier arrests. Investigators then connected the case to UFAMaster, a comprehensive gambling hub offering foreign football, casino, and slot games with approximately 10 million baht in circulation. The network used complex nominee accounts and cryptocurrency conversions to launder money.
Investigators also discovered the network had covertly promoted gambling through LiveScoreThai, a popular sports website that advertised betting platforms while illegally streaming foreign football broadcasts without regard for copyright laws. Lim Teck Wee served as the UFA network's master agent in Thailand, recruiting clients, connecting gambling websites to the network, and converting funds to cryptocurrency for site owners. Police have announced plans to expand the investigation and prosecute all individuals involved.
