Key facts
- Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is expanding a probe into a Chinese-linked criminal network.
- The network allegedly used illegal crypto mining operations to launder over 10 billion baht ($300 million) annually.
- Investigators seized over 6,390 mining rigs and linked the operations to call-center scams and online gambling.
- Authorities have issued eight arrest warrants for Chinese and Myanmar nationals.
- The DSI has referred cases involving electricity authority officials and others to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has expanded its investigation into a network of "grey" Chinese capital, which allegedly uses illegal cryptocurrency mining operations to launder more than 10 billion baht ($300 million) annually. The probe, which grew out of earlier raids in December 2025, has resulted in the seizure of over 6,390 mining rigs.
Investigators claim these mining fronts are used to launder proceeds from call-center scams and online gambling. The DSI has estimated the theft of electricity from the state utility at over 953 million baht ($29 million). Myanmar nationals were reportedly recruited to withdraw substantial daily sums of cash from Thai banks.
Eight arrest warrants have been issued, targeting four Chinese financiers and four Myanmar nationals. One key figure identified by the DSI, Wang Yicheng, is also a suspect in a major digital-asset fraud case flagged by U.S. law enforcement, which has seized over $17.8 million in crypto linked to him.
The investigation has also drawn in Thai officials, with the DSI referring cases involving seven electricity authority officials, a law enforcement officer, and 13 alleged accomplices to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for aiding the mining operations and power theft.