Chinese woman held in Pathum Thani over 35m yuan fraud

Thai immigration police have arrested a 47-year-old Chinese woman wanted in China over an alleged fake-invoice fraud worth more than 35 million yuan.

The woman, identified as Jiachat Haiwang, was detained near Talad Thai market in Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani, after investigators tracked her movements between Bangkok and Chanthaburi.

Wanted over alleged invoice fraud

Immigration Division 1 launched the operation on August 4 after receiving a list of wanted foreign suspects from the Chinese Embassy in Thailand through the Royal Thai Police Foreign Affairs Division.

Jiachat was wanted in Shanghai on a charge of forging invoices, police said. She is alleged to have used private companies to buy invoices from other firms without genuine business transactions, before using them to fraudulently claim tax payments.

The alleged losses totalled more than 35 million yuan, according to immigration police.

Police said she had fled China and was hiding in Thailand. She was taken to Immigration Bureau Investigation Division 3 for further legal action.

Police say suspect repeatedly changed identity

Investigators said Jiachat had made their work difficult by regularly changing her address, hairstyle, clothing, vehicles and apparent occupation.

She was said to have mixed with durian growers and traders in Chanthaburi, travelling to Bangkok while posing as a businesswoman arranging the transport and sale of durians from the eastern province.

Police said she rented several properties in Bangkok and around Talad Thai in Pathum Thani, moving between friends' homes, rented houses and rooms to avoid detection. During the investigation, she allegedly used four separate places to stay and five vehicles.

Her arrest came after officers said she contacted people to discuss a durian business deal, leading investigators to locate her at accommodation beside Talad Thai market.

Part of wider crackdown on foreign crime

The case forms part of Immigration Bureau policy known as "do not allow them to stay", aimed at foreign nationals considered undesirable or linked to cross-border crime.

Immigration Commissioner Lieutenant General Phanumas Boonyaluck had instructed immigration units nationwide to follow the national police chief's policy on tackling transnational crime. Since the start of 2569 in the Thai calendar, authorities have applied what they call the "three no's": do not allow entry, do not allow residence and do not allow escape.

For foreigners living in or visiting Thailand, the case underlines the closer scrutiny being applied to overseas nationals with outstanding criminal cases or suspected links to cross-border offences. Legitimate residents and visitors are not the target, but those with unresolved legal matters abroad may face immigration action if authorities receive information through official channels.

Deputy Immigration Commissioner Major General Pratchaya Prasansuk said the bureau was ready to continue suppressing transnational crime to protect public security and safety.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

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6 August 2026

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