PCT Police Region 5 led a raid on two scammer hideouts renting luxury pool villas in Chiang Mai Province, operating as bases to defraud Chinese nationals. Authorities arrested 15 suspects, including Chinese and Myanmar nationals.
At 12:00 PM on 8 June 2026, Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Pongwiwattana, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 5, led officers from PCT Region 5 to arrest a Chinese scam gang inside two luxury pool villas in Nong Phueng Subdistrict, Saraphi District, following reports that these villas served as operational bases for the group.
During the search, authorities arrested a total of 10 suspects, including Chinese and Myanmar nationals—9 men and 1 woman. They seized 10 laptops and 50 mobile phones. Most suspects entered Thailand on 60-day tourist visas, overstayed their permitted duration, or entered the country illegally.
1. Mr. Li Wei Long, Chinese national
2. Ms. Chen Ying, Chinese national
3. Mr. Zeng Fan, Chinese national
4. Mr. Wu Jiaxin, Chinese national
5. Mr. Xie Rutian, Chinese national
6. Mr. Lin Tao Chuan, Chinese national; no immigration records found
7. Mr. Xie Linghui, Chinese national
9. Mr. Dong Ming, Chinese national
10. Mr. Wei Ming Lyu, Chinese national
At another house, searched under a Chiang Mai Provincial Court warrant, authorities found five foreign nationals—four men and one woman.
1. Mr. Bo Lin, Chinese national
2. Mr. Li Tohua, Myanmar national
3. Mr. Aso, Myanmar national
4. Mr. Jao Aimin, Myanmar national
5. Ms. Li Minsun, Myanmar national
Pol Maj Gen Thawatchai Pongwiwattana, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 5, disclosed that the gang had been in Thailand for about three months, renting one house for 80,000 baht per month and another for 100,000 baht per month. Each member received a monthly salary of 50,000 baht, paid in cryptocurrency into individual accounts.
This scam gang primarily targeted Chinese victims, dividing roles for fraud operations. Their usual tactics involved insurance scams and sending parcels to trick victims into downloading data, followed by communication. Authorities believe the gang purchased victim data from China and established a base in Chiang Mai to deceive victims into transferring money. Once funds were received, they were forwarded to the gang leader or manager.
Authorities also investigated the homeowners renting to the Chinese group. Immigration police found that the house owner had not reported the Chinese tenants to immigration authorities. Following today's arrests, police will continue investigations and coordinate with Chinese authorities.