Police have arrested a South Korean man allegedly linked to a Chinese call-centre scam that defrauded more than 50 victims of approximately 3.3 billion won, through a fake stock investment scheme. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Seung Yeol Jeong, was detained on 13 March at a house in the Passorn Prestige Rangsit Klong 2 housing estate in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province.
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The arrest was announced by Pol. Gen. Samran Nuanma, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and director of the Transnational Crime and Illegal Immigration Suppression Centre, along with Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirabhop Bhuridej, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. Officers from the Crime Suppression Division’s commando unit worked with investigators from the Immigration Bureau to track down and detain the suspect.
Authorities in South Korea had previously identified Jeong as a member of a Chinese-run call-centre gang operating from Cambodia. Investigators say the group created fraudulent profiles on the KakaoTalk messaging application, posing as a South Korean university professor specialising in investment advice.
Using the fake identity, the suspect allegedly contacted victims and persuaded them to invest in what were described as promising short-term stock opportunities. The gang also created a website designed to appear credible, encouraging victims to transfer funds into the system for investment. According to the South Korean investigation, more than 50 people were deceived by the scheme. Total financial losses were estimated at 3.3 billion won.
Following the investigation, South Korean authorities issued an arrest warrant and coordinated with Thai police through the Transnational Crime Suppression Centre to locate the suspect. Thai investigators later discovered that Jeong had entered Thailand through the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani province.
Police believe he then travelled to Pathum Thani province, where he rented a house and remained in hiding. Officers tracked him down to the residence and carried out the arrest.
Initial checks revealed that the suspect had overstayed his permitted stay in Thailand. He was charged with remaining in the Kingdom after his visa permission had expired.
Jeong was taken into custody and handed over to investigators at Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station for legal proceedings. Authorities said he will be processed under Thai law before arrangements are made for him to be extradited to South Korea to face charges related to the alleged fraud.
Daily News reported that officials say the case highlights continued cooperation between Thailand and international law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational cybercrime and call-centre scams operating across borders.
Picture courtesy of Daily News
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 14 Mar 2026