Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Immigration police have arrested a Japanese national wanted for fraud after responding to a noise complaint at a condominium, and separately detained a Chinese man linked to a large-scale scam operation. The arrests, announced on 8 January, highlight continued enforcement against transnational fraud networks operating from Thailand.

According to the Immigration Bureau, officers visited a condominium after residents reported that a Japanese man was causing a disturbance by making excessive noise. During checks, police identified the occupant as a Mr Sakamoto, 39-year-old Japanese national who was wanted under an arrest warrant issued in Japan for jointly defrauding the public. Authorities said his visa has been revoked and he will be deported for further legal proceedings.

Police Major General Phanthana Nuchanart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said the suspect was linked to an investment scam dating back to 2023. The group allegedly posed as representatives of an investment company and persuaded victims to trade digital currencies through an application. Investigators found that there were many victims, with average losses of between 500,000 and 1,000,000 yen per person.

The suspect is believed to have fled Japan after a warrant was issued and entered Thailand to evade arrest. Thai immigration officers took him into custody following identity verification at the condominium. Officials said the case underlines the importance of public complaints in helping police identify suspects hiding in residential properties.

In a separate case announced at the same briefing, immigration police arrested Mr Zeng, a 34-year-old Chinese national, at a residence in the Bangkok Kreetha area. He was wanted under an arrest warrant for fraud after allegedly deceiving fellow Chinese nationals into investing through a fake company, described by police as a shell company.

Investigators said the scam caused losses totalling 1,100,000 yuan. The operation was allegedly based in a building in Myanmar, while the suspect later fled to Thailand and used the proceeds to purchase assets. During the arrest, officers seized a Toyota Alphard valued at more than 3,000,000 baht.

Authorities are also examining ownership of a luxury house worth about 20 million baht that was searched during the operation. Police said they are coordinating with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to determine whether the property is linked to the suspect and whether further asset seizures are warranted.

Daily News reported that both cases remain under investigation, with Thai authorities expected to pursue deportation and asset tracing in cooperation with foreign counterparts.

Key Takeaways

• A Japanese fraud suspect was arrested in Thailand after police investigated a condominium noise complaint.

• The suspect is accused of involvement in a 2023 investment scam causing losses of up to 1,000,000 yen per victim.

• A separate arrest targeted a Chinese man linked to a scam worth 1,100,000 yuan, with assets seized in Thailand.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-01-09

 

 

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Japanese fraud suspect was arrested in Thailand after police investigated a condominium noise complaint

Should be keeping your head down ... Fool.

On 1/9/2026 at 12:20 PM, garygooner said:

Should be keeping your head down ... Fool.

Absolutely! Hahahahahaha.

Any country in the world that has an arrest warrant for someone facing serious criminal charges should be alerting Thailand Immigration as a matter of routine.

Chances are, many will make their way to Thailand at some point. It would save wasting all that time deporting them later.

According to the Immigration Bureau, officers visited a condominium after residents reported that a Japanese man was causing a disturbance by making excessive noise.

Just the thing to do while trying to keep a low profile.