PATTAYA, Thailand – Immigration police have dismantled an alleged hybrid scam operation at a luxury house in Nongprue, Banglamung district, Chonburi, arresting 10 foreign nationals and seizing dozens of mobile phones, computers and SIM cards. Investigators estimate that the scheme may have caused losses of more than 300 million baht.
The operation took place on November 9, 2026, following an order from National Police Chief Pol Gen Samran Nualma. Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol Lt Gen Noppasin Poolsawat led officers from Immigration Division 3, Chonburi Immigration and Nongprue Police Station in executing a search warrant issued by the Chonburi Provincial Court.
Those arrested comprised eight Chinese nationals and two Myanmar nationals. Police seized two laptop computers, 32 mobile phones and more than 178 SIM cards from the property.
Investigators found that the eight Chinese suspects had allegedly entered Thailand illegally, with seven crossing from Cambodia through Sa Kaeo province and one entering from Laos through Chong Mek in Ubon Ratchathani.
Four of the Chinese suspects were reportedly wanted by authorities in China. They were identified as Yang Wang, wanted in a fraud case; Chao Fang, in an assault case; and Zuo Guifu and Xu Ningxun, both wanted in connection with call-centre scam cases. Of the two Myanmar nationals, Min Khing was accused of illegal entry, while Nang Thazin Aye had allegedly overstayed her permitted stay by 357 days. Police said the group operated a hybrid scam, commonly known as a romance-investment fraud, in which victims were approached online, drawn into romantic relationships and then persuaded to invest in fake opportunities.
The operation was reportedly divided into three teams. The first searched for potential Chinese victims through Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. A second team built relationships with targets over approximately 15 to 30 days before persuading them to download a fake Chinese herbal medicine stock investment application and transfer money into bank accounts in China. A third group based in China allegedly handled withdrawals.
During questioning, suspects reportedly told investigators that they had rented the luxury property for 140,000 baht a month and used it as a scam center for approximately six months. Investigators initially identified around 100 Chinese victims. One incident on the morning of November 9 alone reportedly involved losses of approximately 2 million baht, while the estimated cumulative damage from the operation could reach 300 million baht. Authorities are continuing to verify the suspects’ identities and outstanding warrants through Thai and Chinese databases, while gathering evidence and investigating other members of the alleged network.
