Brits arrested after Pattaya crypto robbery claim

A British tourist has reported being held at knifepoint and forced to transfer cryptocurrency worth GBP9,782 at a Pattaya condominium after being invited to watch England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

Dion Adam Timberlake, 24, told police he was lured to a sixth-floor flat at Tudor Court Condo at about 10.30pm on July 15 by a British acquaintance known as Maz. Another British man was waiting inside, police said.

Alleged lure to sixth-floor flat

According to the complaint, one of the men asked to use Timberlake's phone, supposedly to exchange Telegram details for crypto trading. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sudej Imjai said Timberlake had previously shown the suspects his cryptocurrency portfolio and discussed trading with them, making them aware that he held digital assets of considerable value.

Timberlake alleged that Maz then produced a knife, took his passport and car keys, taped his hands and forced him to send Ethereum from his wallet. After the transfer, the men allegedly returned his belongings and let him leave unharmed.

He went to a police station shortly after midnight on July 16 to report the alleged robbery. Police said he was badly shaken and could not give a detailed account of each suspect's role.

Two British nationals detained

CCTV footage led officers to identify a suspect as British national Nisar Armaan, 22. He was arrested at the flat where the alleged offence took place.

Police later located the man known as Maz at a hotel on a street near Pattaya beach. He was identified as British national Nolan Emmanuel, also 22.

Both men have been accused of jointly committing armed robbery, jointly unlawfully detaining or confining another person, and jointly using another person's electronic payment instrument to pay for goods or services.

Picture courtesy of The Sun - Dion Adam Timberlake (right) was allegedly lured to a flat and robbed by Nolan Emmanuel (left) and an accomplice

Emmanuel also faces an additional charges of overstaying his permission to stay by 191 days. The two suspects denied the allegations but acknowledged they were the people named in the arrest warrants, police said. They were handed to investigators for further legal proceedings.

Sudej said Armaan's girlfriend was present when he was arrested, but that only the three men were in the room during the alleged offence. He said Timberlake identified Emmanuel as the person who allegedly threatened him with the knife, restrained him with duct tape and compelled the transfer, while Armaan allegedly remained in the room and took part.

Police seized both suspects' phones for examination and to trace the transactions. Sudej said investigators believe it was an isolated case, rather than a criminal network targeting tourists for cryptocurrency.

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22 July 2026