Police detains Ukrainian sought over alleged crypto fraud

Phuket Immigration Police have detained a 26-year-old Ukrainian national wanted internationally through an Interpol Red Notice, according to Thailand's Immigration Bureau.

His permission to remain in Thailand has been revoked and authorities are preparing to deport him for further criminal proceedings.

The Bureau said the man may be linked to a group accused of financial fraud in Kyiv. Thai authorities did not identify the country that requested the international alert, although the information released indicates that the case is connected to the Ukraine crime.

Alleged fake Bybit site and Telegram accounts

Investigators said the suspected operation used fake Telegram accounts and a counterfeit website made to resemble the cryptocurrency exchange Bybit.

Victims were reportedly invited to invest in cryptocurrency. Their money was then allegedly moved to wallets controlled by the group and stolen.

The authorities have not said whether the alleged offences were carried out while the suspect was in Thailand, or whether any Thai residents were among those affected.

An Interpol Red Notice is an international request to locate and provisionally detain a person wanted in connection with criminal proceedings. It does not itself determine guilt.

Deportation route rather than extradition

Thailand is pursuing deportation in this case rather than extradition, based on the information released. The man is expected to be sent out of the country for criminal prosecution elsewhere.

The Immigration Bureau did not release the man's name or provide details of the anticipated destination after deportation.

Similar arrests on the island

This is not the first case of its kind in Phuket this year. Thai authorities have previously detained foreign nationals sought over financial cases in the United States and Russia.

In such matters, Thailand has used immigration action to expel wanted individuals and return them to the country where criminal proceedings are continuing.

Picture courtesy of Phuketinsta

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13 August 2026

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