Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

 

What began as a high-stakes operation to rescue a South Korean national from an alleged kidnapping turned into the unmasking of an international loan shark syndicate operating out of a villa in Pattaya.

 

At approximately 14.30 on 21 June, more than 50 officers from the Tourist Police Bureau and Bang Lamung Police Station stormed a two-storey detached house in Na Kluea, Bang Lamung district, following a request for urgent assistance from the South Korean Embassy. The embassy had reported that one of its citizens had been abducted and was being held at the premises.

Upon arrival, officers surrounded the villa, which was equipped with surveillance cameras around the perimeter. When police identified themselves and demanded entry, chaos erupted inside.

Over 20 South Korean men attempted to flee in panic. One suspect, identified only as Mr Jae, 30, leapt from the second-floor balcony in a desperate bid to escape, sustaining injuries upon impact. He was promptly taken to hospital. Three others were caught fleeing through the rear of the property.

 

In total, 21 South Korean nationals and one Chinese man were apprehended.

 

Once inside, police uncovered what appeared to be a technologically advanced criminal operation. The villa had been converted into a makeshift headquarters, with over 30 desktop computers and laptops, more than 40 mobile phones, two internet routers and a whiteboard covered in handwritten Korean.

 

Forensic officers collected DNA and fingerprint evidence from the seized devices. Early investigations suggest that the suspects were conducting illegal money-lending activities targeting victims in South Korea, using internet-based calls and messaging platforms. The suspects admitted they operated the scheme via TP LINK systems and used the villa as their base of operations.

 

Officers also discovered written scripts used for investment scams, some promising profits of up to 500 million Korean won (12 million baht) and so-called ‘romance scam’ templates designed to manipulate victims into transferring money under false pretences.

 

Two of the individuals were found to have entered Thailand illegally.

 

According to Senior Sergeant Major Tor-lap Tinamaat of the Tourist Police, evidence suggests that the group had previously operated along the Thai-Cambodian border and relocated to Pattaya in recent months, possibly due to increased law enforcement pressure in neighbouring areas.

 

All suspects now face charges relating to participation in a criminal organisation, a charge in Thai law referred to as “ang yee” , as well as likely breaches of immigration and labour regulations.

 

Local residents had long suspected illicit activity at the property. A 26-year-old neighbour, told police he had heard “frequent arguments, shouting and even sounds that resembled someone being tortured.”

 

“I never knew what was really happening,” he said, “but today I saw men jumping into my garden and running in all directions. Then the police arrived.”

 

The case has once again highlighted Thailand’s growing role as a base for international cybercrime and fraudulent enterprises. Authorities have pledged to intensify efforts to root out foreign criminal networks exploiting Thai soil.

 

Police are in liaison with the South Korean Embassy on the kidnapping claim.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khoasod 2025-06-22

 

 

 

 

 

 

46 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

loan shark syndicate operating out of a villa in Pattaya.

Surely an occupation reserved for Thai Nationals.  

Well done, keep up the good work

Chinese - Call centre

Korean - Loan Shark Syndicate

Same same!

On 6/22/2025 at 6:08 AM, Georgealbert said:

The case has once again highlighted Thailand’s growing role as a base for international cybercrime and fraudulent enterprises. Authorities have pledged to intensify efforts to root out foreign criminal networks exploiting Thai soil.

One easy solution is to make property owners responsible for activities in their rented premises.

They should be mandated to make/or have a weekly inspection to make sure of no illegal activities.

And to make sure inspections are carried out, if any property is found to be operating illegal activities the owner will face a mandatory prison sentence.

90% of this would stop overnight as without a residence they cannot operate.

 

No wonder luxury villas in BKK and Pattaya are now renting for 500,000 or more, and I just saw a luxury house in BKK outskirts asking for -950,000 Thai baht 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 families don’t pay such rentals ….if a family have such money they would have bought their own house 🤣🤣🤣🤭🤭

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

One easy solution is to make property owners responsible for activities in their rented premises.

They should be mandated to make/or have a weekly inspection to make sure of no illegal activities.

And to make sure inspections are carried out, if any property is found to be operating illegal activities the owner will face a mandatory prison sentence.

90% of this would stop overnight as without a residence they cannot operate.

 

 

That would be known as harassment in the west.  The right to "quiet enjoyment" has been enshrined in UK common law for centuries. 

10 hours ago, hotchilli said:

One easy solution is to make property owners responsible for activities in their rented premises.

They should be mandated to make/or have a weekly inspection to make sure of no illegal activities.

And to make sure inspections are carried out, if any property is found to be operating illegal activities the owner will face a mandatory prison sentence.

90% of this would stop overnight as without a residence they cannot operate.

 

It’s what is done in Singapore. The landlord is also held responsible if his tenants don’t have the correct visa paperwork.

 

But it could never work in Thailand. Everything is far too lax everywhere, there would be no follow up even if landlords did report to the police.
 

Thailand doesn’t really want to catch all visa deficient foreigners, it just wants to do enough to make like it is enforcing regulations 

10 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

It’s what is done in Singapore. The landlord is also held responsible if his tenants don’t have the correct visa paperwork.

Thailand has a lot to learn...and we know how they like to be educated... very slowly