Thai police have dismantled an alleged Russian organised crime network operating in Phuket, seizing more than 5.4 million baht in cash during coordinated raids linked to online fraud investigations. One Russian suspect was arrested under an outstanding court warrant, while another foreign national was taken into custody for immigration offences as officers continued to investigate suspected links to mule bank accounts and technology-related crime. Get today's headlines by email The operation took place on 8 July as part of a nationwide crackdown directed by the Thai government and the Royal Thai Police against cybercrime, call centre scams, mule accounts and foreign criminal networks. The investigation was led under the authority of Police General Kitrat Phanphet, National Police Chief, together with senior officers from Provincial Police Region 8, the Immigration Bureau, the Tourist Police Bureau and Phuket Provincial Police. The investigation began after Provincial Police Region 8 and Phuket Provincial Police received intelligence from the Anti Online Scam Operation Center (ACSC). Authorities were informed that a group of Russian nationals had been withdrawing large amounts of cash from ATMs across Phuket using funds allegedly linked to mule bank accounts involved in online fraud cases in several parts of Thailand. Police examined CCTV footage, financial transaction records and travel data before obtaining arrest and search warrants from the Phuket Provincial Court. Officers then carried out simultaneous searches at three locations across the province. At the first location in Wichit, Mueang Phuket district, officers arrested 26-year-old Russian national Ilya Kutaisov under a court warrant. Police seized 638,700 baht in cash along with other evidence before transferring him to Wichit Police Station for legal proceedings. At the second property in Chalong, officers found Russian national Igor Stelmak, who is now being investigated for possible links to technology-related crime. Police confiscated 4,594,420 baht in Thai currency together with 6,271 US dollars, bringing the total seized at the property to around 4,800,000 baht. Immigration authorities have also revoked his permission to remain in Thailand and are proceeding under immigration law. A third search in Cherng Talay, Thalang district, failed to locate the intended target. Investigators collected additional evidence and said efforts to trace the individual are continuing. Overall, officers searched three locations, arrested one suspect under a warrant, detained one foreign national for immigration action and seized approximately 5,440,063 baht in cash together with other evidence. Investigators are continuing to examine financial records and possible connections to mule accounts and cybercrime cases across multiple provinces. Police believe additional victims may still be unaware they were targeted by the network or have not yet reported their losses. Authorities said they are working to identify other members of the organisation, including those directing the operation and those who benefited financially. Daily News reported that Phuket Provincial Police said they will continue targeting mule account networks, cash withdrawal operations and transnational organised crime regardless of the nationality of those involved. Members of the public who suspect they have been victims of online fraud or notice suspicious banking activity are encouraged to report it to their nearest police station or contact the AOC hotline on 1441. Picture courtesy of Daily News 9 July 2026
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