BANGKOK — A 39-year-old Portuguese national suspected of orchestrating cryptocurrency and credit card fraud worth €500 million ($586 million or approximately 19 billion baht) has been arrested at a luxury shopping mall in Bangkok. The suspect, wanted across Europe and Asia, was apprehended following a tip from an unlikely source—a Portuguese journalist on vacation.
Immigration Bureau officials revealed that the Portuguese journalist recognized Pedro M. from extensive media coverage in Portugal and alerted Thai authorities. Using facial recognition technology and biometric databases, investigators from Immigration Division 1 confirmed the suspect’s identity.
From Tourist to Fugitive
Pedro, born in Lisbon, first entered Thailand in 2023 on a tourist visa. He soon began running Bitcoin investment scams in Bangkok, defrauding victims of over 1 million baht ($30,800). An arrest warrant was initially issued, but was later withdrawn from the system. Pedro then fled to southern Thailand and disappeared from immigration records for nearly two years—never renewing his visa or registering an address.
The breakthrough came on October 2, 2025, around 3:00 p.m., when the Portuguese journalist spotted Pedro in downtown Bangkok.
Five-Hour Manhunt
More than 10 plainclothes investigators deployed to the mall, conducting a five-hour search. They finally spotted a foreign man matching Pedro’s description making a phone call with a tense expression. Officers moved in to verify his identity.
His passport showed his last visa stamp was from 2023, and he admitted staying in Thailand without valid authorization. He was charged with overstaying his visa.
International Crime Spree
According to Interpol databases and Portuguese media reports, Pedro has committed fraud across Portugal, Europe, the Philippines, and Thailand. His schemes included cryptocurrency investment scams, credit card fraud, and passport forgery. Swiss bank accounts linked to him reportedly circulated over €500 million.
Following legal proceedings in Thailand and blacklisting, Pedro will be deported to Portugal to face charges there.
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