A dramatic police operation ended with the arrest of a Russian fugitive at the Koh Samui ferry terminal after he attempted to escape Phuket by car. The suspect, wanted for a violent cryptocurrency robbery, was captured on Thursday in Surat Thani Province.
Police units from Koh Samui, Chalong Police Station in Phuket, and the Technology Crime Investigation Division 5 coordinated the sting. The man, identified as Dmitri, 26, was detained under a Phuket Provincial Court warrant for robbery.
Surveillance and Arrest
Officers received intelligence that Dmitri was traveling to Koh Samui on the 11:00 a.m. ferry service in a gray sedan with Prachinburi license plates. At 12:50 p.m. on August 28, police spotted the vehicle arriving at the Lipa Noi ferry terminal.
The driver, another Russian national named Gleb, appeared to be traveling alone. However, upon inspection, officers discovered Dmitri hiding in the back seat. A car ferry ticket was found but no passenger tickets, raising further suspicion.
An interpreter was present when police presented the arrest warrant. Dmitri refused to make a statement and was handed over to investigating officers at Chalong Police Station in Phuket.
Elaborate Crypto Scam
Immigration records showed that Dmitri had entered and exited Thailand seven times, most recently arriving through Phuket Airport on August 15.
Investigators revealed that Dmitri lured his victim, Alexander, also Russian, into a fake business meeting in Phuket. Instead, Alexander was ambushed by four men, assaulted, and forced to transfer 35,000 USDT (around 1.3 million baht) via the TRONSCAN application.
The victim was released unharmed, but the suspects fled the country soon after. Dmitri remained in Thailand, allegedly trying to hide on Koh Samui with the help of Russian acquaintances.
Failed Escape
While his accomplices vanished abroad, Dmitri attempted to flee Phuket under the radar. His plan unraveled when police tracked his movements to the Samui ferry terminal, ending his run.
Authorities confirmed he will face prosecution in Phuket while efforts continue to identify and pursue the other suspects abroad.
The case highlights how cryptocurrency-related crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated in Thailand, often involving international criminal networks.
