A 31-year-old Russian national has been arrested in Chonburi after Thai authorities linked him to an alleged romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Thai woman of more than 4 million baht. Investigators say the suspect was part of an organised online fraud network that used a fake profile claiming to be a foreign airline pilot to gain the victim’s trust before persuading her to transfer money.

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The arrest was carried out on 8 July 2026 by officers from Immigration Bureau Investigation Division 1 working alongside Chonburi Tourist Police. The suspect, identified only as Mr Alexander, was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court on charges of jointly defrauding the public and importing false information into a computer system.

According to the Immigration Bureau, the operation was ordered by Immigration Bureau Commissioner Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonyalak, Deputy Commissioner Major General Phanthana Nutchanart, Investigation Division Commander Major General Phanop Worathanatchakul, Deputy Commander Colonel Ratchote Chotikhun, and Colonel Chitdet Songhong, who is attached to the Immigration Bureau Investigation Division. Police Colonel Thawatchai Narinrat and investigators from Investigation Division 1 worked with Tourist Police officers to locate and arrest the suspect.

Police said the alleged fraud involved creating an attractive fake online identity, claiming to be a foreign pilot, and developing a relationship with the victim through social media. Once trust had been established, the victim was reportedly persuaded to transfer money on multiple occasions, resulting in losses exceeding 4 million baht.

Investigators traced the suspect to a condominium in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province. Officers arrested him without incident before transferring him to investigators at Samut Prakan City Police Station for legal proceedings.

The Immigration Bureau said the case highlights the continuing threat posed by romance scam networks targeting victims through online platforms. Authorities warned the public to be cautious when forming relationships with people met online, particularly individuals claiming to be foreign nationals or holding respected professions who later ask for money for any reason.

ThaiRath reported that the bureau urged anyone with information about foreign nationals suspected of criminal activity to report it to their local Immigration Bureau office or contact the Immigration Bureau hotline on 1178.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

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9 July 2026

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Real pilots ask for a boarding pass, not a bank transfer ✈️💸

These low-life do not simply take money; they dismantle a person’s confidence and sense of security through deliberate psychological manipulation.

Let's hope he gets a substantial custodial sentence!

how stupid you have to be to send 4 Mio THB to a social media contact?

51 minutes ago, Ray60 said:

how stupid you have to be to send 4 Mio THB to a social media contact?

That's the problem with common sense, it isn't common!

6 hours ago, Nemises said:

Real pilots ask for a boarding pass, not a bank transfer ✈️💸

Or clearance to land?

Are there any honest Russians in Thailand?

39 minutes ago, SiSePuede419 said:

I had no idea Nong Prue is a "dormitory suburb" of Pattaya.

That we are then, you live and learn.

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A 31-year-old Russian national has been arrested in Chonburi after Thai authorities linked him to an alleged romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Thai woman of more than 4 million baht. Investigators say the suspect was part of an organised online fraud network that used a fake profile claiming to be a foreign airline pilot to gain the victim’s trust before persuading her to transfer money.

Get today's headlines by email

The arrest was carried out on 8 July 2026 by officers from Immigration Bureau Investigation Division 1 working alongside Chonburi Tourist Police. The suspect, identified only as Mr Alexander, was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Samut Prakan Provincial Court on charges of jointly defrauding the public and importing false information into a computer system.

According to the Immigration Bureau, the operation was ordered by Immigration Bureau Commissioner Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonyalak, Deputy Commissioner Major General Phanthana Nutchanart, Investigation Division Commander Major General Phanop Worathanatchakul, Deputy Commander Colonel Ratchote Chotikhun, and Colonel Chitdet Songhong, who is attached to the Immigration Bureau Investigation Division. Police Colonel Thawatchai Narinrat and investigators from Investigation Division 1 worked with Tourist Police officers to locate and arrest the suspect.

Police said the alleged fraud involved creating an attractive fake online identity, claiming to be a foreign pilot, and developing a relationship with the victim through social media. Once trust had been established, the victim was reportedly persuaded to transfer money on multiple occasions, resulting in losses exceeding 4 million baht.

Investigators traced the suspect to a condominium in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province. Officers arrested him without incident before transferring him to investigators at Samut Prakan City Police Station for legal proceedings.

The Immigration Bureau said the case highlights the continuing threat posed by romance scam networks targeting victims through online platforms. Authorities warned the public to be cautious when forming relationships with people met online, particularly individuals claiming to be foreign nationals or holding respected professions who later ask for money for any reason.

ThaiRath reported that the bureau urged anyone with information about foreign nationals suspected of criminal activity to report it to their local Immigration Bureau office or contact the Immigration Bureau hotline on 1178.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

Join the discussion?

9 July 2026

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Real men do not have tats on their neck............come to think of it, they also do not have tats period!

Russians are working their way up to the top of the , "bad guys" farang list rapidly. Maybe they are at the top already?

3 hours ago, nutosf said:

Are there any honest Russians in Thailand?

Are there any honest Russians anywhere?

In Russia apparently the rich are all crooks. The poor males are like cannon fodder on the Ukrainian front or already dead.

Edited July 9Jul 9 by gargamon

Quite a small guy physically for a Russian....I doubt he will deported to the front lines given his criminal behavior