BANGKOK — Thai immigration authorities have arrested several foreign nationals in two separate high-profile cases involving Chinese and Taiwanese suspects, highlighting the country’s growing crackdown on transnational financial crimes.
Chinese Suspect Accused of $47 Million Fraud
The first case involves a 55-year-old Chinese national, identified only as Mr. Dong, who was wanted in China for his alleged role in a massive investment fraud scheme. According to Pol. Maj. Gen. Phanthana Nuchanart, deputy commissioner of Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, Mr. Dong is accused of operating a fake product distribution company that defrauded 878 victims of over 339 million yuan (approximately 1.542 billion baht or USD 47.2 million).
Mr. Dong promised investors monthly returns of 2% and the doubling of investments within two years. After Chinese authorities issued an arrest warrant and placed him on Interpol’s Red Notice list, he fled to Thailand, initially hiding in Chachoengsao Province before relocating to a residence in Lamphun Province.
Thai immigration officials arrested Mr. Dong near his house in Li District. He reportedly refused to cooperate with the investigation. Authorities have since transferred him to the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to begin the extradition process back to China.
Three Taiwanese Men Caught with 19 Scam-Linked Phones
In a separate but related case, Thai customs and tourist police detained three Taiwanese nationals at Suvarnabhumi Airport on June 3. The trio had arrived from Vietnam and were found carrying 19 mobile phones equipped with active SIM cards and linked to Thai bank accounts previously flagged in online fraud cases.
According to investigators, the devices were intended for use in scam operations targeting Thai citizens through fake online shopping platforms, top-up schemes, and foreign exchange fraud. The suspects used the accounts to collect illicit funds from unsuspecting victims, causing financial losses in the hundreds of thousands of baht across multiple provinces.
Further background checks revealed the men had criminal records in Taiwan for offenses including money laundering and illegal gambling, but this was their first entry into Thailand. Citing national security concerns, Thai authorities revoked their visas and placed them in the custody of the Third Investigation Division of the Immigration Bureau.
The investigation is ongoing, with police working to track additional suspects and identify potential accomplices in Thailand and abroad.
