Tokyogurl and accomplice sentenced and released on bail pending appeal after Arena of Valor cheating case

The Pathum Wan Court delivered its verdict on March 17, 2026 in a case that has shaken Thai esports since December 2025. Former Thailand national Arena of Valor player Naphat “Tokyogurl” Warasin and her accomplice, involved in a cheating scheme during the 33rd SEA Games held in Thailand, have ultimately been sentenced to detention.

Found guilty of violating the Computer Crime Act of 2007, both defendants were initially sentenced to six months of imprisonment. This sentence was reduced by half to three months due to their confessions. The court then decided to commute the sentence to protective detention, a measure deemed necessary given the serious damage caused to the credibility of the sport and the country’s image. Following the ruling, both individuals were released on bail (24,000 baht each, approximately $730) pending appeal.

For context, the incident came to light during the women’s Arena of Valor winner bracket final against Vietnam on December 15. A subsequent investigation by the Crime Suppression Division, dubbed “Operation Ghostbuster,” revealed that the player used the Discord application to share her screen in real time with Cheerio, who was located outside the venue. In practice, she used a second phone identical to the official competition device, on which she received her accomplice’s screen feed, pretending to play while the official phone was hidden under her legs.

Faced with overwhelming technical evidence, both defendants opted for a full confession strategy. To justify his actions, Cheerio cited financial hardship, claiming he was economically dependent on the player, who covered his basic needs in exchange for his services as a “stand-in.” For her part, Tokyogurl initially attempted to deny the allegations, citing a panic attack and hospitalization, a claim quickly contradicted by medical reports. She ultimately admitted to promising a material reward, a latest-generation iPhone, to her accomplice in the event of a victory. These confessions, although driven by the weight of the evidence, allowed both defendants to receive a reduced sentence.

Beyond the criminal conviction, the sporting sanctions have also been severe. Tokyogurl had already been handed a lifetime ban from all official competitions by the Thailand Esports Federation and was dismissed by TALON, the organization she previously represented. At the time of the arrests, TESF president Santi Lorthong described the incident as a “shame for the country.”