Vietnamese man held at Suvarnabhumi over gold scam

Thai cyber police have arrested a 31-year-old Vietnamese national at Suvarnabhumi Airport over allegations he helped launder money from a fake online investment scheme. Van Hai Hui was detained at 11.30am on September 11 as he arrived in Thailand, police said.

He was wanted under a Nonthaburi Provincial Court warrant, No. 1016/2569, dated July 15, 2026. The allegations include public fraud by impersonation, entering false or distorted information into a computer system likely to cause public harm, conspiracy to commit money laundering and joint money laundering.

The operation was led by Pol Lt Gen Surapol Prembutr, commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, with senior officers from Technology Crime Suppression Division 2 and Immigration Division 2's crime suppression unit.

Fake doctor profile and 10% returns

Police said the case stems from an alleged fraud operation which used nominees to create a false online profile for a female doctor said to work at a well-known beauty clinic.

The alleged scammers would begin by claiming they had sent a Line message to the wrong person. They then built a relationship with victims before inviting them to invest through a false platform promising returns of 10%.

Victims reportedly transferred more than 3 million baht in total. When they attempted to withdraw money, the group allegedly demanded a further 25% payment, described as tax, in order to delay withdrawals and obtain more funds.

Money allegedly converted into gold

Police said the funds were moved in less than an hour through mule accounts held by both individuals and companies. The money was allegedly converted through agents buying gold bars at shops, using cash or transfers, making the proceeds harder to trace.

Investigators allege that Van Hai Hui acted as an agent buying gold from retailers. He had previously left Thailand and was believed to be returning to prepare for further offences, police said.

Officers waited at the international arrivals exit at Suvarnabhumi and took him into custody. He will now face legal proceedings.

Cyber police reiterated their "do not believe, do not click, do not transfer" warning. They advised the public not to trust strangers who claim to have messaged by mistake or seek friendship through social media, and not to open investment links sent in private chats.

Gold shops urged to check customers

Gold retailers nationwide were also urged to follow anti-money-laundering requirements, including customer due diligence and identity checks using ID cards or passports.

Police said shops should check the source of money where a transfer comes from a company account or another person rather than the buyer or gold recipient. Cash transactions above the legal threshold, and suspicious transactions, should be reported promptly to the Anti-Money Laundering Office.

Anyone spotting suspicious activity can call the Cyber Police hotline on 1441 or contact their local police station.

Pictures courtesy of InsideThailand

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14 September 2026