DSI launches operation to search 5 locations in the case of iris scanning in exchange for cryptocurrency, gathering evidence after accepting it as a special case

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 1:30 PM, under the direction of Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Police Captain Surawoot Rungsai, Deputy Director-General of the DSI, ordered Mr. Withawat Sukantharos, Director of the Narcotics Crime Bureau, along with officers from the Narcotics Crime Bureau and the Special Operations Bureau, to conduct a joint operation with the Central Institute of Forensic Science, the National Cyber Security Agency, and the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee. The objective was to conduct site inspections to investigate and gather evidence for Special Case No. 148/2568. This operation concerns the business of iris scanning in exchange for cryptocurrency under the "Worldcoin" project, which may constitute an offense under the Computer-Related Crime Act, B.E. 2550 (2007). The raid covered five locations within Bangkok, as follows:

1.     TIDC Holding Co., Ltd.

2.     TIDC Worldverse Co., Ltd.

3.     TIDC Co., Ltd.

4.     M Vision Public Company Limited

5.     Ladawan Rama 2 Village

Police Captain Surawut revealed that the initial search at M Vision Public Company Limited in the Ramkhamhaeng area resulted in the seizure of documents and four iris scanning devices. These devices will undergo forensic examination to verify whether they contain the iris data of 1.2 million Thai citizens. The investigation will also be expanded to determine where such data has been transferred or stored, as this could have significant future impact. The suspects are currently under investigation, with additional evidence being collected. This operation involves an integrated effort with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), applying the Computer-Related Crime Act, B.E. 2550 (2007) and its amendments as the framework for proceedings. If iris scanning was conducted in exchange for digital tokens, the activity would fall under the scope of the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses, B.E. 2561 (2018), which is under SEC regulations. Both agencies must jointly consider and determine the specific offenses committed.

Furthermore, the collection of iris data, which is considered critical biometric information, being exchanged for digital tokens has raised concerns about personal data security and whether the collection or transfer of data abroad was conducted legally. The DSI will gather evidence to support the investigation and expand the case to identify all involved parties in order to proceed with further legal action.