Pictures courtesy of เช็กข่าวพัทยา

Immigration police in Chonburi have arrested a 43-year-old German national wanted in Germany for fraud and money laundering after he was reported living in Pattaya for the last eight years. The suspect, identified as Mr Siegfried Schmitz, was detained on 11 February at around 10am outside a house in Soi 10 off Jomtien Beach Road. Authorities said he had overstayed his visa by more than 2,500 days.

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The arrest followed coordination between Pol Col Naphatsapong Kosit Suriyamanee, chief of Chonburi Immigration and the German Embassy in Thailand. On 2 February, the embassy alerted Thai officials that a German suspect subject to an arrest warrant for fraud and money laundering had been tracked to be living in Pattaya and requested assistance in locating him. Immigration investigators gathered evidence and obtained a search warrant from Pattaya Provincial Court before moving in on the property.

Pol Lt Col Kawinwat Arayasuriwong, deputy chief of Chonburi Immigration, led the operation alongside Pol Lt Kittipat Hongchoowech, Pol Lt Wirat Pattathamwong and a suppression team, working with German embassy officials. Officers apprehended Mr Schmitz in front of the house as he was riding a motorcycle out of the residence. A search of the premises resulted in the seizure of one computer, three mobile phones and two credit cards for examination of data and financial trails linked to the case.

According to investigators, the suspect allegedly advertised goods for sale on a well-known international online platform. Buyers were instructed to transfer funds into a digital wallet on a cryptocurrency platform, after which the money was allegedly taken and the suspect cut all contact. German authorities reported numerous victims.

Immigration officials confirmed that Mr Schmitz was both an overstayer and the subject of a German arrest warrant. He has been handed over to investigators at Pattaya City Police Station for legal proceedings under Thai law. Authorities are coordinating steps to deport him to Germany to face prosecution in his home country.

The case highlights ongoing cooperation between Thai immigration authorities and foreign embassies in tracking fugitives residing in Thailand. Further investigation will focus on examining seized electronic devices and tracing financial transactions connected to the alleged offences.

Video courtesy of ฉลาม นิวส์

Key Takeaways

• A 43-year-old German man wanted for fraud and money laundering was arrested in Pattaya on 11 February.

• The suspect had overstayed his visa by more than 2,500 days and allegedly involved multiple victims.

• Thai authorities are preparing legal proceedings and coordinating his deportation to Germany.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now เช็กข่าวพัทยา 12 Feb 2026

Sayonara,,,,then next decades we will know where u will be staying,.

1 hour ago, norsurin said:

Sayonara,,,,then next decades we will know where u will be staying,.

German justice system.

Fraud.

A "few" years at best.

Sayonara not exactly German 😁

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities said he had overstayed his visa by more than 2,500 days.

It´s not possible. Big Joke cleaned that up!

German guy's pretty ripped.

Never gamble on craptocurrency.

Revoke this maniac's travel privileges schnell.

3 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

German justice system.

Fraud.

A "few" years at best.

Sayonara not exactly German 😁

Fair point, it should be 'Auf Wiedersehen, or "Tschüss"....in any case he will be heading to a prison somewhere!

5 hours ago, norsurin said:

Sayonara,,,,then next decades we will know where u will be staying,.

In a hotel in a southern location? Yes he overstayed, but Thailand doesn't want him. He will pay the fine and be deported to Germany.

4 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

In a hotel in a southern location? Yes he overstayed, but Thailand doesn't want him. He will pay the fine and be deported to Germany.

If he can't pay the fine they might let him rot in the detention center?

Well, 2500 days overstay is a fair effort... silver medal.

20 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

If he can't pay the fine they might let him rot in the detention center?

Yes, but guys like this usually have money hidden away that magically appears when needed to pay off cops or a fine. The people who end up in the immigration detention centers are flight risks, and the Africans, and Asians who are destitute. Contrary to the stories on social media, Thailand doesn't want the hassle of detaining overstayers. They want whatever fine they can get and then want the deadbeats out of the country. It costs money to keep them in a prison, even if in a crowded cell and on a diet of fish heads and rice.

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

It costs money to keep them in a prison, even if in a crowded cell and on a diet of fish heads and rice

Why do so many posters keep regurgitating that ridiculous urban "fish head" myth?

7 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

German justice system.

Fraud.

A "few" years at best.

Sayonara not exactly German 😁

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

In a hotel in a southern location? Yes he overstayed, but Thailand doesn't want him. He will pay the fine and be deported to Germany.

With 2500 days overstay he will be banned for decades.

24 minutes ago, norsurin said:

With 2500 days overstay he will be banned for decades.

Highly unlikely that he"d get more than a 10-year ban.

16 hours ago, norsurin said:

With 2500 days overstay he will be banned for decades.

Ten year is the max usually, although there is PNG possibility, and I have heard 99 years mentioned before.

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Ten year is the max usually, although there is PNG possibility, and I have heard 99 years mentioned before.

Right.That was the same i was thinking.I think this person would never get access to Thailand again.

On 2/11/2026 at 5:43 PM, Woke to Sounds said:

German guy's pretty ripped.

Never gamble on craptocurrency.

Revoke this maniac's travel privileges schnell.

he had 7 years to workout weekly in some of the best gyms in Pattaya.