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South Koreans Arrested in Pattaya Call Scam

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Nine South Korean nationals have been arrested in Pattaya for operating a call centre scam that tricked victims into opening new bank accounts under the pretext of lottery refunds. Thai immigration police said the suspects used scripted calls to deceive victims and gain access to their finances, leaving them with significant debt.

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The arrests took place on 6 May 2026 following a joint investigation by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau and South Korean authorities. Officers raided five rooms in a condominium in Pattaya, after obtaining a warrant from Pattaya Provincial Court. The suspects were found with key evidence including Korean-language scripts, 62 mobile phones, eight laptops, six iPads and 480,000 baht in cash.

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Investigators said the group posed as Korean lottery company officials, falsely claiming victims had previously purchased tickets and were eligible for refunds and compensation. Victims were persuaded to open new bank accounts and share one-time passwords (OTP), which were then used to access accounts, take out loans and transfer funds to accounts controlled by the gang. Authorities also uncovered Excel files containing hundreds of potential victim records.

The operation followed coordination between Thai police and their South Korean counterparts, who flagged the group’s suspected involvement in fraud and extortion. Initial checks revealed that three of the nine suspects are wanted under South Korean arrest warrants linked to call centre scams and related crimes.

Komchadluek reported that Thai authorities said the group’s activities posed a threat to public safety and national security, as well as damaging the country’s image. Immigration officials have revoked the suspects’ permission to stay in Thailand and transferred them to investigators for legal proceedings. South Korean authorities have also requested access to the seized evidence through Interpol to pursue further action and identify additional victims.

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Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek

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image.png Adapted by ASEAN Now Komchadluek 7 May 2026


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