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 hunting 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 hunting game. Sometimes buyers actually needed to dig the packets out of the ground, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said.
Those interested in joining had to introduce other buyers and hide drug orders at locations given by the AI. The chatbot also would send instructions to those who wanted to continue with a business of their own, eventually paying commissions to the criminal gang’s leaders.
The entire process was done without human administrators, making it difficult for police to track the culprits.
It took police investigators a week to identify the two suspects, Mark Maolopuro, 35, and Ivan Volnov, 34. They were apprehended in Pattaya and Bangkok respectively.
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 suspects initially denied all charges.
