Russian Romance Scam Pilot Arrested, Victims Lost 4M+ Baht

Thairath•Society•18d ago

Reader Briefing

Immigration police apprehended a Russian national involved in a romance scam syndicate that defrauded Thai victims of over 4 million baht.

•A Russian man was arrested for his suspected involvement in a romance scam.
•The scam syndicate created fake profiles, impersonating foreign pilots to lure victims.
•One victim lost over 4 million baht due to repeated fund transfers.
•The suspect was apprehended in Chonburi province after being located at a condominium.

Overview

•Immigration Investigation Division 1 and Tourist Police Chonburi arrested a Russian man.
•The man is a member of a romance scam syndicate that defrauds victims online.
•The syndicate created fake profiles, impersonating foreign pilots to trick victims.
•Victims collectively lost over 4 million baht due to fraudulent transfers.
•An arrest warrant was issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court.
•The suspect was arrested at a condominium in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
•The suspect was handed over to investigators at Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station for legal proceedings.
•The Immigration Bureau warns the public to be cautious of online relationships, especially with foreigners asking for money.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Entities

Person

Russian Man(หนุ่มรัสเซีย)

A 31-year-old Russian national arrested for involvement in a romance scam.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumart Boonmalak(พล.ต.ท.ภาณุมาศ บุญญลักษม์)

Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, who ordered the operation.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Phanthana Nutchanart(พล.ต.ต.พันธนะ นุชนารถ)

Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, involved in overseeing the operation.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Phanop Worathanachakoon(พล.ต.ต.ภานพ วรธนัชชากุล)

Commander of the Immigration Investigation Division, involved in the operation.

Pol. Col. Ratthachot Chotikun(พ.ต.อ.รัฐโชติ โชติคุณ)

Deputy Commander of the Immigration Investigation Division, involved in the operation.

Pol. Col. Chitdacha Songhong(พ.ต.อ.ชิตเดชา สองห้อง)

Deputy Commander of Sa Kaeo Provincial Police, assisting the Immigration Investigation Division.

Pol. Col. Thawatchai Narirat(พ.ต.อ.ธวัชชัย นรินรัตน์)

Superintendent of Immigration Investigation Division 1, who led the pursuit and arrest.

Mr. Alexander

The alias of the 31-year-old Russian suspect arrested in connection with the romance scam.

Organization

Romance Scam Syndicate(แก๊งโรแมนซ์สแกม)

A criminal group involved in online romance scams, creating fake profiles and defrauding victims.

Immigration Investigation Division 1(ตำรวจ กก.1 บก.สส.สตม.)

A unit of the Immigration Bureau responsible for investigating and arresting individuals involved in immigration-related crimes.

Chonburi Tourist Police(ตำรวจท่องเที่ยวชลบุรี)

A local police unit tasked with assisting and protecting tourists in Chonburi province.

Samut Prakan Provincial Court(ศาลสมุทรปราการ)

The court that issued the arrest warrant for the suspect.

Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station(สภ.เมืองสมุทรปราการ)

The police station where the arrested suspect will be processed and investigated.

Immigration Bureau(สำนักงานตรวจคนเข้าเมือง)

The governmental agency responsible for immigration matters and the apprehension of the suspect.

Place

Condominium(คอนโดมิเนียม)

The location in Chonburi where the suspect was found hiding.

Nong Prue Subdistrict(ตำบลหนองปรือ)

The specific subdistrict in Chonburi where the suspect was apprehended.

Bang Lamung District(อำเภอบางละมุง)

The district in Chonburi that includes the location of the arrest.

Chonburi Province(จังหวัดชลบุรี)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where the suspect was arrested.

Timeline

July 8, 2026(8 กรกฎาคม 2026)

The specific date of the arrest warrant issuance and operation.