A Swedish national has been arrested by Thai cyber police for hacking into a Pattaya hotel’s customer database and defrauding tourists with fake compensation claims. The suspect, identified as Mr Mikael, 42, a dual Swedish-Finnish national, was detained on 29 April 2026 at a residence in Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri. Officers seized 25 items including computers, hard drives and mobile phones.

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Police said the suspect exploited access credentials belonging to his Thai wife, who works at a hotel in Pattaya. The couple have lived together for over eight years, allowing him to obtain login details to the hotel’s customer database. He is charged under the Computer Crime Act for breaching security measures to access customer data without authorisation.

Investigators found that the suspect created a fake hotel websites and email accounts to then contact former guests. Victims were told they had damaged hotel property and were required to pay compensation, prompting them to transfer money. At least 35 victims, both Thai and foreign, were identified, with total losses estimated at 100,000 baht.

The hotel reported the scam to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, leading to the arrest. Police are urging anyone who believes they may have been affected to come forward and file a complaint. Authorities also advised the public to verify any payment requests directly with hotels before transferring money.

Amarin reported that authorities noted that Pattaya and Thailand’s eastern region are frequently used as bases by foreign offenders who commit crimes. Police stressed the importance of cyber awareness, urging businesses and individuals to strengthen data security, avoid suspicious links and log out of systems after use. The suspect remains in custody and will face legal proceedings. Investigations are ongoing to identify additional victims.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 30 Apr 2026

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Rather a creative scam. I wonder if his Thai partner is still with him. He may have cost her the job as she reveled log in details to him.

8 yrs hacking for 100kbht! In the money now.

8 minutes ago, Olmate said:

8 yrs hacking for 100kbht! In the money now.

Says he was living with the wench for 8 years... not hacking for 8.

But yes, elaborate scam for little reward.

2 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Says he was living with the wench for 8 years... not hacking for 8.

But yes, elaborate scam for little reward.

2 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Says he was living with the wench for 8 years... not hacking for 8.

But yes, elaborate scam for little reward.

She was "purpose built"!!

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Police said the suspect exploited access credentials belonging to his Thai wife, who works at a hotel in Pattaya.

Not a hacker, then. A hacker doesn't ask his teerak for her access credentials. 🤣

What a moron. He should know better. Send him to serve in some nasty thai prison. Then deport him and ban him forever.

Mr. Mikael you are a disgrace to Sweden, and to Swedish people.

Edited April 30Apr 30 by hanbla

Is there an igloo prison in Sweden. Send him from the beach to -40C. That's punishment.

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Amarin reported that authorities noted that Pattaya and Thailand’s eastern region are frequently used as bases by foreign offenders who commit crimes.

Why would criminals mostly use Pattaya as their base?

Being a criminal is stressful and they need easy access to a massage?

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The couple have lived together for over eight years, allowing him to obtain login details to the hotel’s customer database.

Seems like the wife could also be charged, providing confidential information to a non-employee.

Too smart for his own good, the money trail always leads to somebody...

2 years in prison and kicked out forever?

5 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Seems like the wife could also be charged, providing confidential information to a non-employee.

Providing the login details to a hotel's computer system, possibly inadvertently, is a criminal offence, is it?

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Providing the login details to a hotel's computer system, possibly inadvertently, is a criminal offence, is it?

I'm not a laywer, but why is it so shocking if it is?

Do you provide the login details to all your accounts to anybody and everybody?

5 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Providing the login details to a hotel's computer system, possibly inadvertently, is a criminal offence, is it?

I'm not a laywer, but why is it so shocking if it is?

Do you provide the login details to all your accounts to anybody and everybody

Shocking? . I'm not at all shocked by your suggestion and, no, I do not provide my login details to anybody and everybody but, if I (or anybody else) did, it wouldn't be a criminal offence.

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

it wouldn't be a criminal offence.

A hotel is a business login, though. so my question wasnt even valid

Who sends money to a hotel for alleged damages after they have checked out?