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Russian Scam Gang Leader Arrested Over Romance Fraud

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Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

Cyber police have arrested a 31-year-old Russian national identified as the leader of a romance investment scam that targeted a Thai businessman, using a fake online persona to deceive the victim into transferring funds. The suspect, Mr Gabriel Chilashvili, was detained at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 26 December following a court-issued arrest warrant. Police say the case highlights the growing threat of transnational online fraud networks operating inside Thailand.

 

The arrest was announced by Pol Lt Gen Surapol Prembutr, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, alongside senior officers including Pol Maj Gen Wiwat Khamchanan and Pol Maj Gen Kritchaya Bamrung-rattanayot. The operation was carried out by officers from Sub-Division 3 of Cyber Crime Investigation Division 4. Investigators allege Mr Chilashvili acted as the head of a scammer network that used romance deception to facilitate investment fraud.

 

The case dates back to 2023, when a businessman from Nakhon Sawan province was contacted on Facebook by an account using the name “Benjamas Inthraprasert,” presenting as an attractive woman. The suspect built a relationship with the victim before persuading him to invest in short-term gold trading through a platform called “ATFX,” which police say was created by the criminal group. The victim initially received small returns, encouraging him to invest further, ultimately transferring about 60,000 baht before being unable to withdraw his funds.

 

Police investigations found that the scam involved a complex money-laundering structure using 10 bank accounts. Eight accounts belonged to Thai nationals acting as mule accounts, while two accounts were linked directly to the Russian suspect as beneficiary accounts. Funds were withdrawn in cash, converted into digital currency, and transferred onwards to conceal the financial trail.

 

Investigators said arrest warrants were issued by the Nakhon Sawan Provincial Court for 10 suspects in total. Seven suspects have already been arrested, and authorities have seized or frozen assets worth approximately 2 million baht. Mr Chilashvili, who was residing in Chon Buri province on a student visa, entering and leaving Thailand multiple times while operating the scam network.

 

Daily News reported that police stated that the suspect has denied the charges, but investigators say financial records show extensive digital currency transactions connected to the scam. Authorities have warned the public to be cautious of online relationships that lead to investment offers promising unusually high returns. Further legal proceedings are expected as police continue tracking remaining suspects and financial flows.

 

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Key Takeaways

 

• Cyber police arrested a Russian national accused of leading a romance-based investment scam on 26 December.

• The scam involved a fake Facebook profile, a fabricated trading platform.

• Authorities have arrested seven suspects so far and seized assets worth around 2 million baht.

 

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image.png Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-27


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  • Popular Post

Back to Putin, and sent to the front line.

He is an ethnic Georgian, not Russian.

On 12/27/2025 at 3:05 PM, Georgealbert said:

Police investigations found that the scam involved a complex money-laundering structure using 10 bank accounts. Eight accounts belonged to Thai nationals acting as mule accounts,

Hopefully they will be arrested and charged too.

1 hour ago, Hakuna Matata said:

He is an ethnic Georgian, not Russian.

 

Send him to Stalin then.

A Russian with a Georgian name... But doesn't mean a different nature - that territory is full of scam and spum... 

15 hours ago, Aleksey75 said:

A Russian with a Georgian name... But doesn't mean a different nature - that territory is full of scam and spum... 

says the guy with a Russian name

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