Thai immigration police have detained a 30-year-old Chinese national in Pattaya who is wanted by authorities in China over the alleged theft of cryptocurrency valued at more than 162 million baht. Mr Zhang, was taken into custody in Chonburi on 9 September after officers found that his permission to stay in Thailand had expired. Chinese authorities are seeking him in connection with a digital-currency theft case in Guangdong province, where an arrest warrant was issued in 2025. Immigration Police Division 3 chief Pol Maj Gen Songproad Sirisukha led the operation with Pol Col Suriya Phuangsombat, head of the division's investigation unit, and Pol Lt Col Thongthai Phairoh. Tip-off led police to Pattaya condominium Pol Col Suriya said police received information from members of the public about a Chinese man living quietly at a condominium in Pattaya. The man was said to have no apparent occupation but to have money available for regular spending. Officers monitored the address and spotted Mr Zhang outside the condominium on 8 September. A passport check found that his permitted stay in the kingdom had ended. Immigration records then showed that he was wanted in Guangdong over an alleged cryptocurrency theft. In that case, a victim reportedly had around 33 million yuan in cryptocurrency transferred out of their account, equivalent to about 162 million baht. Alleged deepfake SIM-swap operation Chinese authorities allege that Mr Zhang was the principal developer of AI Face Swap, or deepfake facial impersonation technology. He allegedly worked with at least three others to obtain account information from OKX, a cryptocurrency trading platform, as well as victims' telephone numbers. The group allegedly used face-swapping technology and camera software developed by Mr Zhang to impersonate victims when reporting their SIM cards lost and requesting replacement cards for the same numbers. This would have allowed the group to receive SMS one-time passwords, take control of victims' accounts and transfer out their digital assets within seconds, according to police. Immigration case and removal process Mr Zhang has initially been charged with remaining in Thailand after his permission to stay had expired. He was handed to investigators at Pattaya City Police Station for action under the Immigration Act 1979. Immigration police said they were coordinating with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and relevant agencies on procedures to remove him from Thailand. Pol Maj Gen Songproad said the arrest demonstrated how criminals' methods were evolving through the misuse of AI technology. He said immigration authorities would continue checking foreigners staying unlawfully in Thailand, particularly people wanted abroad who may use the country as a hiding place. Picture courtesy of Matichon Join the discussion? 10 September 2026
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