BANGKOK — Typically, foreign scammers arrested in Thailand usually come from Southeast Asia or are Asian, but this time the scammer duo who fled to Pattaya are Swedish.
Police Colonel Phloen Klinphayom, Deputy Commander of Immigration Division 3, announced on October 29 the arrest of international fugitives who were subject to an Interpol Red Notice. They were involved in a scam causing damage worth over 50 million baht and had fled to hide in Pattaya while overstaying their visas.
The Investigation Division of Immigration Bureau 3 received information about two Swedish men, Mr. John and Mr. Vladis, who had committed criminal fraud in Sweden through a call center gang operation. They targeted elderly victims, obtaining their personal information. Once victims were convinced to download an application, the scammers would drain their money and transfer it to other regions such as Asia and South America.
Swedish authorities had already arrested 9 suspects in this network. These two suspects fled to Thailand and were hiding in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
Investigation officers conducting checks in front of an apartment building in Pattaya, noticed suspicious-looking foreigners in front of the building. They identified themselves as immigration police officers and requested to check their passports, subsequently arresting both individuals.
Investigation revealed they had overstayed their visas by 57 days. The officers charged them with being aliens staying in the Kingdom beyond their permitted duration. They were handed over to investigating officers at Pattaya City Police Station, Chonburi Province, for legal proceedings, after which they will be deported.
__________