Interpol red notices sought for 2 people allegedly involved in extortion of online gambling gang

Thai Interpol are expected to issue Red notices today (Sunday) for two civilians who are alleged to be involved with a group of police officers in extorting about 140 million baht from alleged members of an illegal online gambling gang.

Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief, who has been put in charge of investigating the extortion case, in which eight police officers, including Chon Buru provincial police commander, Pol Maj-Gen Kampol Leelaprapaporn, are implicated, said today that the two civilians have left Thailand.

Kampol and his seven subordinates were transferred to the operations centre of the Royal Thai Police headquarters yesterday, pending the outcome of an investigation.

Surachate also said that summonses will be issued for the police officers to acknowledge the charges against them.

He said, initially, police didn't believe that a police commander would be involved in the alleged extortion, because it is a serious offence and he warned the complainants, the alleged operators of the online gambling website, that they could face charges if their allegations are false.

He also said that the alleged gambling site operators decided to take the case to the Khu Khot police in Pathum Thani province, despite also being alleged wrongdoers, because they felt that the 140 million baht demanded by the alleged extortionists was excessive.

Blaming online gambling websites for addicting many people and causing damage to the economy, resulting in some gamblers even committing suicide, Surachate said that the duty of the police is to crack down on the illegal activity, not to abet them by demanding kickbacks from the operators and letting them off the hook.