A coordinated operation between Thai and Chinese police has led to the seizure of $2.5 million worth of Tether (USDT), uncovering a large-scale cryptocurrency scam.
The crackdown on 5 February resulted in the arrest of two Chinese nationals, who were found to be at the centre of a complex operation involving illicit digital currencies and human trafficking activities.
The investigation began with the apprehension of Ye Wanyou, 29, and Li Weijie, 30, who were arrested at a luxury residence in Thailand.
The two men allegedly resisted arrest and attempted to delete data from their phones.
Authorities were able to seize $44,550 in physical assets during the raid.
The items that were seized during the raid included a variety of luxury goods, phones, and documents, all of which were confiscated as part of the ongoing investigation.
However, the major breakthrough came with the discovery of hidden cryptocurrency wallets.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects had amassed approximately $2.5 million in USDT, which was promptly frozen.
The investigation also revealed troubling links to human trafficking.
Evidence suggested that the two suspects were involved in trafficking operations along the Thai border, particularly near Mae Sot, Tak province.
Police with one of the suspects, Li Weijie, during the arrest at Bangkok’s Patio Ratchayothin Village.
Additionally, authorities found connections to fraudulent product sales taking place within Thailand, with offices possibly located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
A Tether spokesperson commented on the case, stating,
"With Tether, every action is online, every transaction is traceable, every asset can be seized, and every criminal can be caught."
This statement reflects Tether’s commitment to combatting criminal activities linked to its digital assets.
Thai authorities, in collaboration with Chinese law enforcement, have highlighted the importance of global coordination in tackling such sophisticated operations.
A meeting between senior Thai police officials and their Chinese counterparts revealed crucial findings, including the extent of the scam’s operations across multiple countries.
The authorities are working tirelessly to track down any additional accomplices who may be involved in this wide-reaching fraud scheme.
Both Ye Wanyou and Li Weijie have been charged with public fraud, and Thai police have opposed bail in their detention.
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities determined to unravel the full scale of the criminal operation.
As the investigation continues, authorities are uncovering the deeper layers of fraudulent activity, pointing to the increasing role of cryptocurrencies in facilitating cross-border crime.
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