South Korean Scammer Arrested in Pattaya Condo

Thai authorities working with South Korean police, have arrested a suspected call centre scammer who fled an Interpol Red Notice and hid in a Pattaya condominium, with reported losses linked to the case exceeding millions of baht.

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The suspect, identified as Mr Sangcheon, 37, a South Korean national, was detained on 5 May in the jurisdiction of Pattaya City Police Station in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The arrest followed orders from senior officers including Pol Lt Gen Nattasak Chaonasa, with multiple units involved in tracking and apprehending the fugitive.

Investigators said Mr Sangcheon was a member of a South Korean call centre scam network, acting as a recruiter and managing mule accounts used to launder funds obtained through fraud. The gang allegedly posed as government officials and used malware to infiltrate victims devices, coercing them into transferring money to so called national security accounts for asset checks.

South Korean authorities reported that in August 2025 alone, the scam caused damages totalling 342 million won. The funds were routed through the digital asset platform Bithumb before being transferred to private cryptocurrency wallets in an effort to obscure the financial trail.

The suspect later fled South Korea, prompting the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice. Coordination with the Anti Online Scam Centre led Thai police to identify Pattaya as his hiding place, where he had rented a condominium using a Thai national as a proxy to avoid detection.

Following surveillance and intelligence gathering, officers located and arrested him, transferring him to Pattaya City Police Station for immigration checks. Authorities found his permission to stay in Thailand had expired, resulting in additional charges.

Officials confirmed he will face legal proceedings in Thailand before being deported and returned to South Korea to stand trial. The case highlights continued cross border cooperation in tackling online fraud networks and the increasing use of cryptocurrency to conceal illicit funds.

Daily News reported that further action will involve processing the extradition and continuing investigations into the wider network, including financial channels and accomplices linked to the operation.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailynews 6 May 2026

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