BANGKOK — Thai Immigration Police have arrested a South Korean man allegedly holding a senior position in the “Lucky Nine” network, which authorities say defrauded more than 100 victims of over 10 billion won, or about 250 million baht.
The suspect, identified as Mr Lim, had allegedly fled South Korea and entered Thailand before becoming the subject of an Interpol arrest warrant.
The arrest followed a request for assistance from a Korean police liaison officer, who asked Thai authorities to locate and apprehend the wanted suspect in connection with an alleged investment fraud network.
The operation was carried out by officers from the Immigration Division 6 Investigation Unit and the Immigration Bureau’s Investigation Division 2 under the direction of senior Immigration Bureau officials.
According to investigators, Lim was a senior figure in an organisation known as “Lucky Nine”, which operated 12 centres across South Korea, including Seolleung, Gold and Somang.
The network allegedly had members serving as coordinators, IT operations chiefs, software developers and financial managers. Investigators said the group raised money by presenting the scheme as a “casino business”.
Under the alleged scheme, investors were ranked from one-star to seven-star levels and offered commissions ranging from 3% to 21%, depending on the amount invested.
Police said the structure resembled a multi-level marketing system. In reality, investigators allege that the money was used for overseas online casino gambling or to repay earlier investors with funds from later investors, rather than being generated through a genuine profitable business.
More than 100 people were allegedly affected, with total damages exceeding 10 billion won, equivalent to about 250 million baht.
Thai investigators said biometric records showed that Lim entered Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport immigration on 19 September 2025 on a 90-day visa, which allowed him to remain in the country until 17 December 2025.
His permission to stay had since expired, and police said he had been moving between accommodations in Phuket to avoid detection.
Immigration Division 6 officers conducted an investigation in Phuket and later learned that Lim had left the province and was hiding in a luxury condominium in Nonthaburi province.
The officers then coordinated with Investigation Division 2 of the Immigration Bureau to locate him.
On 3 September 2026, officers went to a suspected residence and found a man matching Lim’s description.
After identifying themselves and checking his identity, officers confirmed that the man was Lim.
Police said Lim admitted that his permission to stay in Thailand had expired and that he had overstayed by 260 days. He also acknowledged that he was wanted under a South Korean arrest warrant and an Interpol notice.
Lim agreed to let officers search the room. Police found three mobile phones, two credit cards, one tablet and other valuables.
The items were seized because investigators believed they could have been used in the alleged offences or obtained through criminal activity. They were to be handed over to South Korean authorities to support further investigations into other members of the alleged network who may have fled to Thailand.
Police arrested Lim, informed him of the allegations and his legal rights, and took him to investigators for further legal proceedings.
Thai authorities said that after the Thai legal process is completed, the suspect will be deported to South Korea.
Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nuchanart, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said the operation was in line with the policies of the prime minister, Royal Thai Police and Immigration Bureau to strengthen cooperation with security agencies in Thailand and overseas.
He said Thai authorities would continue to track down people wanted under international arrest warrants.
“Thailand will not be a hiding place for fugitives or transnational criminals,” Phanthana said, adding that authorities would take decisive legal action against foreigners considered a threat to national security and public order.
