CHONBURI — What began as a rescue mission to save an alleged kidnapping victim turned into a major bust when Chonburi police raided a luxury villa on Saturday and discovered 21 South Koreans and one Chinese operating an international illegal lending ring.
The operation was launched after the South Korean Embassy in Thailand contacted authorities reporting that a South Korean national had been kidnapped and was being held at a villa in Na Kluea subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi province.
At 2.30 p.m. on June 21, more than 50 officers from tourist police and Bang Lamung police station surrounded the two-story detached house, which sits on over 90 square meters and is equipped with CCTV cameras around the perimeter.
When police identified themselves and requested to search the premises, more than 20 South Koreans inside panicked and fled in different directions. During the chaotic escape, one South Korean man jumped from the second floor, suffering critical injuries when he hit the ground. The injured man, identified as Mr. Jae, 30, was rushed to hospital by emergency responders.
Three other South Koreans who fled through the back of the house were pursued and apprehended by police. In total, 21 suspects, including one Chinese, were detained and brought back for questioning.
High-Tech Operation Uncovered
Inside the villa, police discovered what appeared to be a sophisticated operation center containing:
- Over 30 desktop computers and laptops
- More than 40 mobile phones
- 2 internet routers
All equipment was seized as evidence, and forensic officers from Chonburi’s Evidence Division 2 collected DNA samples and fingerprints from the devices.
Police Tourist Division Senior Sergeant Major Tor-lap Tinamaat explained that the South Korean suspects claimed the computer equipment and mobile phones were used to run an illegal lending business targeting victims in South Korea. They used the luxury villa as their operational headquarters, conducting business through internet-based phone calls via TP LINK systems.
Police found a Korean-language whiteboard detailing investment scams promising returns up to 500 million won ($365,000 USD) and romance scam messages used to deceive victims into transferring money. Two South Koreans were found to have entered Thailand illegally.
Investigations suggest the group recently relocated from the Cambodia border area after government pressure, establishing their base inside Thailand. Initially, police have charged the suspects with being members of a criminal organization with illegal objectives, commonly known as forming a criminal gang.
Neighbor Reveals Disturbing Details
A local resident, 26-year-old Man, provided crucial information about the villa’s activities. He revealed that South Koreans and Chinese nationals had been renting the property for over four months.
“I often heard people arguing and screaming, sounds like someone being tortured,” Man told police. “At first I didn’t know what was going on in that house, but today suddenly I saw Koreans jumping over to my side of the property and running away frantically until police came to investigate.”
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