Crime Russian Journalist Kidnapped and Ransomed in Pattaya Ordeal

[webfact]

Pictures courtesy Amarin TV

 

A Russian journalist, known as David, recently experienced a terrifying ordeal in Pattaya, as he fell victim to a kidnapping and extortion plot orchestrated by fellow Russian nationals. The incident highlights the rising concerns of foreigner-targeted crimes in the region.

 

The Violent Abduction

David, a special correspondent for a Russian news agency, was resting in his hotel in Jomtien when the attack occurred around 5 AM. Four Russian men, with the help of a compatriot insider, forced their way into his room. Armed and menacing, the assailants used a gun to intimidate David, handcuffed him, and covered his head with a black bag. Subsequently, he endured multiple blows to the head, intensifying the intimidation.

 

 

Ransom Demand

During the assault, the gang recorded a video that displayed David’s battered state while he held his press ID, which they used to pressure his wife in Bangkok. The criminals sent the footage with a chilling message demanding ransom, threatening that failure to comply or involving the police would cost David his life.

 

A Desperate Compliance

In a state of panic, David’s wife decided to meet their demands. She placed a luxury Rolex Daytona, valued at about 600,000 baht, at a location in Bangkok as instructed. Her quick thinking allowed her to capture an image of a suspect retrieving the watch, offering crucial evidence for authorities.

 

 

Escalating Demands

The gang didn’t stop there. They coerced David into transferring 1.9 million baht in Bitcoin, all while holding him captive. The total financial loss amounted to over 2.5 million baht. After the transactions were completed, David was driven and eventually released in Pattaya. During the journey, the abductors continued their brutal treatment and vandalised the vehicle, causing significant damage.

 

 

Police Action and Investigation

Following the incident, Pattaya police were quick to act. They have already detained some suspects and are pursuing others with ongoing investigations.

 

Authorities are examining CCTV footage and tracing blockchain transactions to unravel the full extent of the syndicate and capture the remaining perpetrators.

 

This distressing episode underscores the potential dangers faced by expatriates and tourists in Thailand. Local authorities are being urged to increase protective measures, ensuring visitors' safety and maintaining the region's reputation as a safe travel destination.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin TV 2025-06-27

 

 

 

[1duckyboy]

Plenty of fake Rolex watches available to leave for those monsters.

[norfolkandchance]

'Special Correspondent' pays good money then.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

A Russian journalist, known as David, recently experienced a terrifying ordeal in Pattaya, as he fell victim to a kidnapping and extortion plot orchestrated by fellow Russian nationals

[JimHuaHin]

Russian criminal gangs targeting Russians.

 

Chinese criminal gangs targeting Chinese.

 

Thai criminal gangs targeting anyone.

 

Thai law enforcement ......

[Hakuna Matata]

3 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Russian criminal gangs targeting Russians.

 

Chinese criminal gangs targeting Chinese.

 

Thai criminal gangs targeting anyone.

 

Thai law enforcement ......

 

Absolutely! Enough is enough!

 

 

[ronster]

No concerns unless your russian, Chinese or Ukrainian as they are the only ones getting kidnapped it seems.

Odd he's hanging out in Phuket and his Rolex wearing wife is in bkk.

Plus how did they know he had bitcoin ? Seems everyone who has bitcoin just can't help but tell everyone 🙈

[Trip Hop]

6 minutes ago, ronster said:

No concerns unless your russian, Chinese or Ukrainian as they are the only ones getting kidnapped it seems.

Odd he's hanging out in Phuket and his Rolex wearing wife is in bkk.

Plus how did they know he had bitcoin ? Seems everyone who has bitcoin just can't help but tell everyone 🙈

 

As a very wise Irish friend told me many years ago when I first started visiting Thailand, never show or tell anyone about any wealth you may or may not have as it will only make you a mark for everyone from ladies, thieves, con-men and the BiB.

[Colabamumbai]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Pictures courtesy Amarin TV

 

A Russian journalist, known as David, recently experienced a terrifying ordeal in Pattaya, as he fell victim to a kidnapping and extortion plot orchestrated by fellow Russian nationals. The incident highlights the rising concerns of foreigner-targeted crimes in the region.

 

The Violent Abduction

David, a special correspondent for a Russian news agency, was resting in his hotel in Jomtien when the attack occurred around 5 AM. Four Russian men, with the help of a compatriot insider, forced their way into his room. Armed and menacing, the assailants used a gun to intimidate David, handcuffed him, and covered his head with a black bag. Subsequently, he endured multiple blows to the head, intensifying the intimidation.

 

 

Ransom Demand

During the assault, the gang recorded a video that displayed David’s battered state while he held his press ID, which they used to pressure his wife in Bangkok. The criminals sent the footage with a chilling message demanding ransom, threatening that failure to comply or involving the police would cost David his life.

 

A Desperate Compliance

In a state of panic, David’s wife decided to meet their demands. She placed a luxury Rolex Daytona, valued at about 600,000 baht, at a location in Bangkok as instructed. Her quick thinking allowed her to capture an image of a suspect retrieving the watch, offering crucial evidence for authorities.

 

 

Escalating Demands

The gang didn’t stop there. They coerced David into transferring 1.9 million baht in Bitcoin, all while holding him captive. The total financial loss amounted to over 2.5 million baht. After the transactions were completed, David was driven and eventually released in Pattaya. During the journey, the abductors continued their brutal treatment and vandalised the vehicle, causing significant damage.

 

 

Police Action and Investigation

Following the incident, Pattaya police were quick to act. They have already detained some suspects and are pursuing others with ongoing investigations.

 

Authorities are examining CCTV footage and tracing blockchain transactions to unravel the full extent of the syndicate and capture the remaining perpetrators.

 

This distressing episode underscores the potential dangers faced by expatriates and tourists in Thailand. Local authorities are being urged to increase protective measures, ensuring visitors' safety and maintaining the region's reputation as a safe travel destination.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin TV 2025-06-27

 

 

 

Putin knew they'd all kill each other here. 

[riverhigh]

Rolex Daytona, Bitcoin ... all the tools necessary to become a journalist. hmmmm?? Something tells me that David, the victim, may be doing something more than just journalism. Just speculating.

[BE88]

51 minutes ago, ronster said:

No concerns unless your russian, Chinese or Ukrainian as they are the only ones getting kidnapped it seems.

Odd he's hanging out in Phuket and his Rolex wearing wife is in bkk.

Plus how did they know he had bitcoin ? Seems everyone who has bitcoin just can't help but tell everyone 🙈

 

I don't have Bitcoin but I want everyone to know

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Who owned the vandalised vehicle?

[Peabody]

I don't own any digital currency. I thought blockchain transactions couldn't be traced/tracked?

 

[sambum]

What on earth has the headline pic (The interior of a car!) got to do with the story?

[barrybike]

56 minutes ago, sambum said:

What on earth has the headline pic (The interior of a car!) got to do with the story?

the abductors continued their brutal treatment and  vandalised the vehicle, causing significant damage , copied from the end of the article 

[save the frogs]

How did they know he had so much bitcoin?

1 - He was bragging about it to people he thought were his friends and harmless

2 - It was ill-gained as part of a criminal gang in the first place, then the rest of the gang members turned on him ...

 

And mostly criminals are keeping that much bitcoin anyway. Most normal people do not have so much bitcoin. 

 

[Free the 115]

3 hours ago, ronster said:

No concerns unless your russian, Chinese or Ukrainian as they are the only ones getting kidnapped it seems.

Odd he's hanging out in Phuket and his Rolex wearing wife is in bkk.

Plus how did they know he had bitcoin ? Seems everyone who has bitcoin just can't help but tell everyone 🙈

Bit like vegans. It’s difficult to identify them as they are so bleddy secretive 

[Reddavy]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Pictures courtesy Amarin TV

 

A Russian journalist, known as David, recently experienced a terrifying ordeal in Pattaya, as he fell victim to a kidnapping and extortion plot orchestrated by fellow Russian nationals. The incident highlights the rising concerns of foreigner-targeted crimes in the region.

 

The Violent Abduction

David, a special correspondent for a Russian news agency, was resting in his hotel in Jomtien when the attack occurred around 5 AM. Four Russian men, with the help of a compatriot insider, forced their way into his room. Armed and menacing, the assailants used a gun to intimidate David, handcuffed him, and covered his head with a black bag. Subsequently, he endured multiple blows to the head, intensifying the intimidation.

 

 

Ransom Demand

During the assault, the gang recorded a video that displayed David’s battered state while he held his press ID, which they used to pressure his wife in Bangkok. The criminals sent the footage with a chilling message demanding ransom, threatening that failure to comply or involving the police would cost David his life.

 

A Desperate Compliance

In a state of panic, David’s wife decided to meet their demands. She placed a luxury Rolex Daytona, valued at about 600,000 baht, at a location in Bangkok as instructed. Her quick thinking allowed her to capture an image of a suspect retrieving the watch, offering crucial evidence for authorities.

 

 

Escalating Demands

The gang didn’t stop there. They coerced David into transferring 1.9 million baht in Bitcoin, all while holding him captive. The total financial loss amounted to over 2.5 million baht. After the transactions were completed, David was driven and eventually released in Pattaya. During the journey, the abductors continued their brutal treatment and vandalised the vehicle, causing significant damage.

 

 

Police Action and Investigation

Following the incident, Pattaya police were quick to act. They have already detained some suspects and are pursuing others with ongoing investigations.

 

Authorities are examining CCTV footage and tracing blockchain transactions to unravel the full extent of the syndicate and capture the remaining perpetrators.

 

This distressing episode underscores the potential dangers faced by expatriates and tourists in Thailand. Local authorities are being urged to increase protective measures, ensuring visitors' safety and maintaining the region's reputation as a safe travel destination.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin TV 2025-06-27

 

 

 

Cossacks robbing Cossacks. Who gives a F**K 🤷🏼

[BusyB]

8 minutes ago, Reddavy said:

Cossacks robbing Cossacks. Who gives a F**K 🤷🏼

 

Practically no one in reality ...

[Magictoad]

A Rolex and millions in Bitcoin! It's allright for some ain't it?

[jeannot]

A Rolex Daytona at 600.000 Bath is not possible 😂

[DrJack54]

Off topic post removed

[wensiensheng]

Crazy Ivans.

 

Let em have at it so long as they leave the rest of us alone

[frank83628]

5 hours ago, Colabamumbai said:

Putin knew they'd all kill each other here. 

What on earth is that supposed to mean

[geisha]

1 hour ago, jeannot said:

A Rolex Daytona at 600.000 Bath is not possible 😂

6 million ?

[geisha]

Depending the series , from 20 000€ to 80 000€+

[quake]

Yawn.