Police raided a Chinese crypto scam centre reportedly targetting wealthy victims in Canada and the United States.

The gang allegedly operated a love scam using fake social media accounts with attractive profile pictures. They randomly selected victims and seduced them into investing in cryptocurrency assets.

Authorities raided the syndicate's office in northern Chiang Rai province amid a crackdown on Chinese-run crime networks along the Thai-Myanmar border.

Police said they arrested 13 suspects, named as Cao TaiQing, 32, Tu Xing, 29, Yi Xiu, 30, Cheng Yue, 20, Jrang Kai Hang, 32, Huang RangXin, 26, Duan Guang Shun, 21, and Li Jiawei, 22, and Yang Lianwei, 24.

Four of alleged fraudsters had entered Thailand on student visas, while nine were illegals.

A Thai national, Orthai Semue, the 21-year-old wife of Cao, was also arrested.

Officers seized 14 computers, 81 phones, and an internet connection device from the premises.

Police Major General Thawatchai Pongwiwatchai, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 5, said: ‘These Chinese suspects created fake social media accounts and impersonated others with attractive profiles and appearances.

‘They selected victims randomly and chatted with them to build relationships before tricking them into transferring money into foreign digital wallets for cryptocurrency trading.

‘Most victims were Americans and Canadians, and communication was conducted via ChatGPT or AI applications.'

The suspects and confiscated items were taken to the inquiry officer at the local police station .

They were charged with violating the Immigration Act and the Foreigners' Working Management Emergency Decree.

Thai government chiefs last month cut power to northern border towns to starve suspected boiler room call centre gangs in neighbouring Myanmar.

Thai police have been battling call centre scam gangs running rampant in Thailand.