Immigration Division 3 arrested an Indonesian man, a key suspect wanted under U.S. arrest warrants and an Interpol Red Notice, as the mastermind of a hybrid scam network that deceived victims into love through dating apps and lured them into cross-continental investments.
On 25 Apr 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonyalak, Commander of the Immigration Bureau, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Panthana Nuchnarat, Deputy Commander, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, ordered Pol. Col. Suriya Puangsombat, Chief of Investigation Unit, Immigration Division 3, Pol. Col. Khemmachat Wattannapakesem, Commander of Phuket Immigration, Pol. Lt. Col. Ithithorn Prasertsak, Deputy Chief of Investigation Unit, and Pol. Lt. Col. Wisarut Laya-Ong, Deputy Commander of Phuket Immigration, to lead the operation to arrest Mr. Awang Williang, 33, an Indonesian national and a key suspect wanted by U.S. authorities and Interpol.
The arrest followed findings by the Investigation Unit of Immigration Division 3 that Mr. Awang, a key suspect in a cryptocurrency investment fraud case, was wanted under U.S. arrest warrants and an Interpol Red Notice for "conspiracy to commit fraud using electronic devices."
Moreover, Mr. Awang was identified as the mastermind of a hybrid scam operation based in the United Arab Emirates. He entered Thailand on 22 Apr with a tourist visa and stayed at a luxury resort in Kamala Beach, Phuket. Authorities coordinated with Phuket Immigration police to conduct field investigations and eventually arrested him.
Detailed investigations revealed that from 2022 to 2026, Mr. Awang collaborated with the scam network to defraud cryptocurrency investors. The method involved contacting victims through dating applications, social media, and other online channels using attractive male and female models to establish romantic relationships—a classic romance scam—before inviting victims to invest in fake platforms showing false profits. Many American victims were deceived.
Authorities revoked his permission to stay in the kingdom under Section 12(7) of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), categorizing him as a prohibited alien. He was detained for deportation and cooperation with U.S. authorities to proceed with legal actions.