Russian woman found injured in Mae Sai scam probe

Thai police are investigating a possible transnational scam-network connection after a 19-year-old Russian woman was found injured in a car park at Lotus's Mae Sai in Chiang Rai on Sunday, August 9.

Mariia Tsygankova, a Russian national, was taken to Mae Sai Hospital after patrol officers found her with multiple injuries at about 3.45pm in the Zone A3 car park of the shopping centre in Wiang Phang Kham subdistrict.

Pol Col Jiraphas Saksung, superintendent of Mae Sai Police Station, said investigators had arranged an interpreter to conduct an initial interview with her at hospital.

Police examine alleged route through Myanmar

Information passed through the interpreter indicated that Tsygankova had left Russia to work in China, then flew to Thailand. She later travelled to Yangon in Myanmar before eventually reaching Tachileik, the Myanmar border town opposite Mae Sai.

Police are examining whether she had been enticed to Tachileik by a scam network offering highly paid work. Investigators suspect she may have realised she had been deceived after arriving there, or had refused to follow the group's instructions.

They believe she was then assaulted, taken across the Thai-Myanmar border through an unofficial crossing and abandoned at the Mae Sai shopping centre. Police stressed that these circumstances have not yet been independently established and remain under investigation.

CCTV review and embassy contact

Pol Lt Col Mekhin Kongsaeng, an investigation inspector at Mae Sai Police Station, has been assigned to work with tourist police and patrol officers to identify those involved.

Investigators are reviewing CCTV recordings in an effort to trace the people who brought Tsygankova to the area. Police have also contacted the Russian Embassy in Thailand so her family can be informed.

The woman was described as deeply distressed and frightened while being treated at Mae Sai Hospital. Officers have been assigned to provide security as the inquiry continues.

Across the border, authorities in Tachileik have continued operations against suspected scam networks and illegal online gambling operations.

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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11 August 2026