Cybercrime Police Arrest Russian Investment Scam Ringleader at Suvarnabhumi Airport
BANGKOK — Thai cybercrime police have arrested a 31-year-old Russian national, identified only as Gabriel, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, accusing him of leading a sophisticated online investment scam that targeted Thai victims.
The arrest was carried out on Friday evening by officers from the Technology Crime Suppression Division (Cybercrime Police), as part of Thailand’s intensified crackdown on cross-border cyber fraud networks operating in the country.
Police intercepted Gabriel shortly after his arrival at Bangkok’s main international airport. He was detained without incident and taken in for questioning.
Investigators believe Gabriel had been residing in Chonburi province on a student visa and had frequently travelled in and out of Thailand since 2023. Authorities suspect these movements were used to help manage scam operations while avoiding detection.
Romance Scam Led Victim to Fake Investment Platform
The investigation began following a complaint filed in 2023 by a businessman from Nakhon Sawan province. He told police he was deceived after forming an online relationship with someone posing as an attractive woman.
According to investigators, the scammer gradually gained his trust before persuading him to invest in short-term gold trading through a fake platform known as “ATFX,” which promised high returns with minimal risk.
Police allege Gabriel was the leader of a so-called “pig butchering” scam ring — a scheme in which victims are emotionally manipulated over time and then pressured into transferring large sums of money. While authorities did not disclose the exact amount lost, they confirmed the financial damage was significant.
Growing Pattern of Foreign-Run Cyber Scams
Officials say the case highlights a broader trend in which foreign nationals exploit Thailand’s visa system to establish scam operations targeting both locals and overseas victims. Many of these schemes begin on social media or dating applications before shifting into fraudulent investment opportunities.
In November 2025, cybercrime police arrested another Russian national, 34-year-old Pavel, at a luxury condominium in Bangkok. He was accused of defrauding a 70-year-old Thai businesswoman of more than 11.6 million baht through a similar investment scam. Earlier this year, authorities also dismantled scam networks involving Chinese, Taiwanese, and Australian suspects operating from rented properties across Bangkok.
Thailand has increasingly become both a base and a target for cybercrime in Southeast Asia. Between January and November 2025, authorities recorded nearly 887,000 cybercrime complaints nationwide, with reported losses exceeding 89 billion baht (approximately USD 2.6 billion).
