Fake Police Kidnap Chinese Man in Pattaya, Five Arrested in Cross-Province Operation

PATTAYA — A Chinese man became the latest victim in a series of crimes involving fake police officers in Thailand after he was abducted and robbed in Pattaya earlier this week. Police have since arrested five suspects, including two Chinese and two Thai nationals, and seized a vehicle believed to have been used in the crime.

The incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. on July 10 outside a noodle shop along North Pattaya Road. Lin Yifan, a 52-year-old Chinese national, was approached by several men claiming to be police officers. They forced him into a white SUV, binding him at gunpoint.

In his statement to authorities, Lin recounted the terrifying ordeal. After being abducted, he was robbed of cash, personal items, and forced to transfer approximately 150,000 baht from his Chinese bank account using a mobile banking application. Altogether, the stolen cash and valuables were valued at more than 230,000 baht. The gang eventually abandoned Lin on a roadside roughly nine kilometres away, near a shooting range on Soi Chaiyapruek 2.

Quick Investigation Leads to Arrests

Pattaya police quickly launched an investigation, scouring CCTV footage from the crime scene and surrounding areas. On Saturday, officers arrested four individuals identified as Han Longding, 37, and Han Zhangchou, 63, both Chinese nationals, along with Siripong Chiebleam, 35, and Thitiphong Phongpiriyakul, 28, both Thai nationals.

According to police reports, the suspects confessed that the operation was orchestrated by another Chinese man, Hao Yong. Han Zhangchou allegedly drove Han Longding to meet the two Thai accomplices, who were recruited to assist with the kidnapping and robbery.

Following leads, police traced the white SUV used in the abduction to a residence in Bangkok’s Min Buri district. In an attempt to destroy evidence, the suspects reportedly discarded their mobile phones in water. Despite this, authorities continue efforts to retrieve additional stolen property and digital evidence.

Attempted Escape Thwarted

Meanwhile, Hao Yong, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the crime, was intercepted at Suvarnabhumi Airport as he attempted to flee Thailand on a flight bound for Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Authorities arrested him before he could leave the country. He now faces charges related to organizing the kidnapping and robbery.

Police confirmed that none of the individuals involved had legitimate connections to Thai law enforcement or any fake police units. Instead, the group functioned as an independent criminal gang focused on theft and scams.

All suspects are now facing multiple charges, including robbery, unlawful detention, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Investigators say the case remains open as they work to recover stolen funds and determine whether the group is linked to other similar incidents.

Rise in Fake Police Scams

The crime highlights a disturbing trend in Thailand involving fake police scams, which have become increasingly frequent in recent years, especially targeting Chinese nationals and other foreign visitors. Scammers often exploit victims’ unfamiliarity with Thai laws and their fear of dealing with law enforcement.

For example, in April 2024, Thai authorities uncovered a major operation in which eleven individuals — including current and former Thai police officers — kidnapped five Chinese tourists from a Bangkok hotel. The victims were coerced into paying a total of 2.5 million baht (about US$67,659) under threats of legal charges. Police ultimately arrested seven suspects in that case.

Similarly, in January 2025, a Thai woman posing as a police officer was apprehended for forging official documents and extorting hundreds of thousands of baht from unsuspecting victims. The woman admitted she wore the police uniform “for style,” further complicating efforts to distinguish real officers from criminals.

Sophisticated Tactics

Many of these scams share common tactics. Criminals wear authentic-looking police uniforms and carry fake badges or credentials. They often approach victims in public places, accusing them of visa violations, drug offences, or other crimes. Under threat of arrest or legal action, the victims are pressured into paying large sums of money to secure their release.

In more severe cases, such as the Pattaya abduction, the criminals resort to kidnapping and physical threats, forcing victims to transfer money or hand over valuables. Authorities warn that language barriers and fear of legal trouble make tourists especially vulnerable.

Police continue to advise tourists to remain cautious if approached by anyone claiming to be law enforcement. Officials urge individuals to request to see official identification and, if in doubt, to contact the local police station directly.

Continued Efforts

The latest arrests in Pattaya reflect ongoing efforts by Thai law enforcement to crack down on criminal syndicates targeting tourists and residents alike. Officials have stepped up patrols and surveillance in areas frequented by visitors and are working to disrupt organized crime groups operating across provincial and international borders.

Authorities remain committed to prosecuting those responsible and restoring confidence in Thailand’s reputation as a safe destination for travelers and expatriates. Investigations into the Pattaya kidnapping continue as police seek further evidence and possible connections to other criminal networks.

As Thailand battles this wave of fake police scams, officials emphasize that cooperation between law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and the tourism sector will be crucial to protecting locals and visitors from increasingly sophisticated crimes.