Phuket-
Thai immigration police, working in coordination with national law enforcement, apprehended a 33-year-old Indonesian man wanted by the FBI and Interpol for his alleged role in a massive cryptocurrency fraud scheme.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect, identified as Mr. William (alias), was located at a luxury resort in Phuket around 2:00 p.m. on April 24 following an intelligence-led investigation. Officers moved in to verify his passport and identity before detaining him.
Investigators revealed that William had entered Thailand legally under a visa exemption for tourists. However, his activities placed him in violation of Thailand’s Immigration Act B.E. 2522, Section 12 (7), which prohibits entry to individuals deemed a threat to public order. His permission to remain in the kingdom has since been revoked.
Between 2022 and 2026, William allegedly worked with an international fraud ring that orchestrated a sophisticated “Hybrid Scams” combining romance fraud with cryptocurrency investment schemes.
- Romance Scam Tactics: The group reportedly hired attractive models to appear in video calls with victims, building trust through online relationships that felt more convincing than static photos.
- Investment Fraud: Once trust was established, victims were persuaded to invest in fake trading platforms. Fraudsters displayed fabricated profit reports to lure victims into depositing larger sums.
The scheme is believed to have defrauded victims worldwide, with losses in the United States alone exceeding $10 million USD (approx. 350 million THB).
Thai police stated that hybrid scams are increasingly prevalent, exploiting multiple online channels such as dating apps, social media, and messaging platforms. Citizens are urged to exercise caution and verify information thoroughly before engaging in financial transactions.
