PATTAYA, Thailand – Cyber police have arrested a Swedish national accused of hacking into a hotel database in Pattaya and using stolen guest information to scam tourists out of money.
Officers from Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau announced the arrest on April 29, identifying the suspect as Mikael, 42, a Swedish-Finnish national. He was detained at a residence in Takiantia area, Banglamung district, Chonburi province.
Authorities said the suspect exploited insider access through his Thai wife, who worked at a hotel in Pattaya, allowing him to obtain login credentials to the hotel’s customer database.
According to police, the suspect created fake websites and spoofed hotel email accounts to contact former guests, falsely claiming they had damaged hotel property and needed to pay compensation.
Victims—both Thai and foreign tourists—were instructed to transfer money to settle the alleged charges.
More than 35 people are believed to have fallen victim to the scam, with total damages estimated at around 100,000 baht.
The fraud was uncovered after the hotel filed a complaint, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest. Police seized multiple items, including computers, hard drives, and mobile phones, as evidence.
Authorities used the case to highlight broader trends in online crime.
Officials say online shopping scams remain the most common form of cybercrime in Thailand, accounting for 50–60% of cases, often involving small but repeated financial losses.
They also warned about the growing use of “mule accounts” and hired cash withdrawers, where individuals are paid to move illicit funds—often without fully understanding they are committing a criminal offense.
Another emerging tactic involves cardless ATM withdrawals, using QR codes or digital codes to bypass traditional banking trails.
Cyber police noted that Pattaya and Thailand’s eastern region are increasingly being used as bases by foreign suspects who blend into the local population before carrying out crimes elsewhere.
Tourists and residents are urged to verify any payment requests directly with hotels, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report suspected fraud immediately.
“Cyber awareness is the first line of defense,” officials said, emphasizing the need for both individuals and businesses to strengthen data security and vigilance.
