A Swedish national has been arrested by Thai cyber police for hacking into a Pattaya hotel’s customer database and defrauding tourists with fake compensation claims. The suspect, identified as Mr Mikael, 42, a dual Swedish-Finnish national, was detained on 29 April 2026 at a residence in Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri. Officers seized 25 items including computers, hard drives and mobile phones.
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Police said the suspect exploited access credentials belonging to his Thai wife, who works at a hotel in Pattaya. The couple have lived together for over eight years, allowing him to obtain login details to the hotel’s customer database. He is charged under the Computer Crime Act for breaching security measures to access customer data without authorisation.
Investigators found that the suspect created a fake hotel websites and email accounts to then contact former guests. Victims were told they had damaged hotel property and were required to pay compensation, prompting them to transfer money. At least 35 victims, both Thai and foreign, were identified, with total losses estimated at 100,000 baht.
The hotel reported the scam to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, leading to the arrest. Police are urging anyone who believes they may have been affected to come forward and file a complaint. Authorities also advised the public to verify any payment requests directly with hotels before transferring money.
Amarin reported that authorities noted that Pattaya and Thailand’s eastern region are frequently used as bases by foreign offenders who commit crimes. Police stressed the importance of cyber awareness, urging businesses and individuals to strengthen data security, avoid suspicious links and log out of systems after use. The suspect remains in custody and will face legal proceedings. Investigations are ongoing to identify additional victims.
Pictures courtesy of Amarin
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 30 Apr 2026