Crime Tip-Off Leads to Arrest of Chinese Scammer Hiding in Bangkok Condo

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Immigration police have arrested a Chinese national wanted for fraud who had been hiding out in a luxury condominium in Bangkok’s upscale Thonglor district. The operation was launched after officers received a tip-off regarding two Chinese men exhibiting suspicious behaviour in the area.

 

The investigation began in early May when officers from Immigration Division 1 were alerted by a concerned member of the public. The informant suspected that the two individuals may have entered or been residing in the country illegally, or were possibly in breach of the Immigration Act.

 

Acting on intelligence, authorities began undercover surveillance of a high-end condo complex near Thonglor. Officers observed that the suspects would frequently collect food deliveries in person at the lobby but appeared to avoid stepping outside, raising further suspicion.

 

At approximately 17:00, on 28 May, the two suspects came down to the lobby. Immigration officers approached and requested to see their identification documents.

 

The first suspect, identified as Mr Xiao, 30, was found to have overstayed his permitted visa period by two months. He was charged accordingly.

The second man, identifying himself only as Mr Liu, 29, was unable to present a passport. A biometric fingerprint scan revealed no record of his legal entry into Thailand. He was arrested on charges of illegal entry and stay.

 

Mr Liu was taken to the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division for further processing. There, he gave inconsistent statements and appeared agitated. This prompted officers to coordinate with international law enforcement agencies, eventually confirming that he was, in fact, Mr Da Liu, a Chinese national wanted in connection with a 2023 fraud case.

 

According to investigators, Mr Liu had defrauded multiple victims by posing as a business partner of a well-known Chinese liquor company. Believing his claims, victims transferred large sums of money to him. The scam resulted in losses totalling approximately 2.5 million Chinese Yuan, equivalent to more than 12 million Thai Baht.

 

Following the scam, Mr Liu reportedly fled Guizhou Province by car, entered Yunnan and crossed illegally into Laos and then Thailand through the infamous Golden Triangle border zone. Thai authorities, using biometric identification systems and photographic evidence, were able to positively confirm his identity.

 

Police Colonel Prasart Khemaprasit, Commander of Immigration Division 1, stated on 1 June that the biometric system and public cooperation were both essential in locating and apprehending the fugitive.

 

“This arrest highlights the importance of modern technology and civic responsibility in our ongoing efforts to ensure Thailand does not become a haven for international criminals,” he said.

 

Authorities reiterated the legal requirement for property owners and hotel operators to report the presence of foreign nationals to immigration officials. The public is also encouraged to report suspected illegal activities via the Immigration Bureau’s 24-hour hotline.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-02.

 

 

 

[petedk]

This story reminds me of 2 Chinese guys who stayed in luxury houses near us. The houses cost 200,000 + baht a month to rent and there was 1 Chinese man in each house. They stayed there 3 months and NEVER came out. They ordered food via Grab and also ordered prostitutes quite regularly.

 

They would be practicing martial arts and weightlifting nearly all day and looked very much like military or police officers, so we all thought they maybe the houses were "safe houses"