Report Dutch Expat Arrested in Phuket for Alleged Fraud in Crime Crackdown

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of สวพ.FM91

 

A Dutch expatriate has been arrested in Phuket, accused of defrauding a German woman of hundreds of thousands of baht. This arrest is part of a nationwide crime crackdown initiated by the Royal Thai Police (RTP).

 

The 65-year-old suspect, wanted under a Phuket Provincial Court warrant for fraud, was apprehended by Tourist Police in the Pa Klok area of Thalang district. His arrest follows a tip-off about his whereabouts.

 

According to Tourist Police Division 3, the suspect had been avoiding arrest since the warrant was issued on 9th July 2024. He was caught on 17th June during an operation targeting fugitives wanted for serious charges, including firearms, ammunition, and fraud.

 

This operation is part of a broader RTP campaign, running from 14th to 20th June, to tackle crime and apprehend fugitives across Thailand.

 

Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am, Commander of the Tourist Police, instructed all units to act decisively. In Phuket, Police Major General Phopphon Chakkaphak and Police Colonel Naraphon Wattanakaratwi coordinated the efforts, with Police Lieutenant Colonel Pitiya Thepmuang leading the arrest team.

 

The case began when a German woman reported being swindled by the Dutch national, who allegedly also runs a restaurant in Patong. She claimed he deceived her into handing over approximately 350,000 baht, leading her to pursue legal action.

 

Acting on an informant’s tip, officers discreetly investigated before arresting the man without incident. Following his detention, he was taken to Phuket Provincial Court for further proceedings.

 

This arrest marks a significant success for the nationwide crackdown, underscoring that foreign suspects cannot escape justice in Thailand. The police continue to encourage the public, including expats and tourists, to report any suspicious activity to help maintain safety and order in tourist hotspots like Phuket.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-18

 

 

[norsurin]

Goodbye scumbag.U don't have to report to immigration every 90 days anymore.

[grumpyoldman]

No pointing ? Well, now I'm lost, which one is the swindler?

[Andrew65]

She wouldn't be anything like the only person he's done such a thing to over the years, it's just the only one that's become public.

[BerndD]

He only took a part of that what the 3rd Rich stole from his country! 

This is definitively OK!

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

His arrest follows a tip-off about his whereabouts.

 

According to Tourist Police Division 3, the suspect had been avoiding arrest since the warrant was issued on 9th July 2024. He was caught on 17th June

So he was free as a bird for almost a year until a tip-off... RTP working flat-out.

 

[hotchilli]

2 minutes ago, BerndD said:

He only took a part of that what the 3rd Rich stole from his country! 

Still scratching that 80 year old itch ?

[Dr B]

Just now, hotchilli said:

So he was free as a bird for almost a year until a tip-off... RTP working flat-out.

 

Exactly. If it hadn't been for the "crackdown", which will last for 7 days, and the tip-off, nothing would have happened. Isn't that something that the "media" ought to be highlighting?

[Iron Tongue]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

So he was free as a bird for almost a year until a tip-off... RTP working flat-out.

 

That means the money's all gone.

[Upnotover]

The story is a bit light on detail of the "fraud"/"swindle".  

[wensiensheng]

“This arrest marks a significant success for the nationwide crackdown, underscoring that foreign suspects cannot escape justice in Thailand.”

 

yes, but what if he hadn’t been found during the crackdown? Would he have been found? Crackdown ends on 20th according to the article. So do crooks just have to evade capture till then?

 

Also, not to be negative about the efforts of plod, but the arrest came about as a result of an informants tip. All they really had to do was turn up and put on the handcuffs.

 

Should be grateful that RTP did something I suppose, but it all has a hollow ring to it.

[klauskunkel]

1 hour ago, BerndD said:

the 3rd Rich stole

Looks like the stole an "e" as well.

[Upnotover]

17 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Looks like the stole an "e" as well.

They needed it to complete their banner for the match, "where's my bike?"

[Woke to Sounds]

Fine the wood shoe a million baht and ban for 3 years.

 

That oughta teach him a lesson.

 

Thailand does not need these foreign white collar criminal types.