Lamppost QR stickers guided drug buyers through a ‘treasure chase’

AI genrated network, Russians arrested

Two Russian men have been arrested for allegedly selling drugs using  QR code stickers posted throughout Bangkok that used AI technology to make the process a ‘treasure chasing game”.

Online investigators last month learned on Facebook about QR code stickers found in many spots throughout the capital, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police, said on Wednesday.

Posted mostly on street poles in Lumphini, Pathum Wan and Yannawa districts, they bore the message, “Thai hub Telegram COCAINE KETAMINE MEPH METH MDMA”. 

The code linked users to the Telegram app, where customers talked to a chatbot generated by Artificial Intelligence, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said.

Customers could pay only in digital currency. They would then receive a location where they could pick up the drugs themselves, as if they were playing a treasure chasing game. Sometimes buyers actually needed to dig the packets out of the ground, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said.

“I believe this tactic was designed by a genius brain,” he said. “After a purchase, the AI bot would also invite customers to join the business by completing missions.”

Those interested in joining had to introduce other buyers. They would get a discount ladder and had to hide drug orders at locations given by the AI. The chatbot would send an application programming interface (API) to those who wanted to continue with a business of their own, paying commissions to their gangster overlords.

The entire process was done without human administrators, making it difficult for police to track the culprits.

It took police invstigators a week to identify the two suspects, and only by also using AI technology. (Story continues below)

A still from a surveillance recording shows a man placing a QR code sticker on a roadside pole at night in Bangkok. (Photo supplied)

A Russian, identified as Mark Maolopuro, 35, was apprehended in Pattaya, Chon Buri. Police allege his job was to find and identify spots where drug deliveries could be hidden for collection.

A phone found in his possession showed chat history on Telegram, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said. This led to the arrest of another Russian suspect, Ivan Volnov, 34, in Sutthisan area of Bangkok.

Police seized evidence including 200,000 baht in cash, a van, two laptops, seven mobile phones, 20 flash drives and five bank account passbooks, along with 80 packages containing cannabis.

Both initially denied all charges. One of the suspects denied he was the person seen in an evidential recording, and the other said he had medical permission to use cannabis, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said.

Police detain the two Russian suspects and impound evidence found in their van. (Photo supplied).