Immigration Police Division 1, together with Chonburi Tourist Police, arrested a Russian man involved in a romance scam gang. He deceived victims by creating fake profiles claiming to be foreign pilots, tricking victims into transferring money and causing losses exceeding 4 million baht.
Immigration Police launched an operation targeting a romance scam gang, arresting a Russian suspect wanted under a Samut Prakan court warrant. He is charged with conspiracy to commit public fraud and inputting false data into computer systems as part of an online romance scam.
On 8 July 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Phanumas Boonylaksom, Commander of Immigration Police, along with Pol. Maj. Gen. Pantha Nuchnarat, Deputy Commander, Pol. Maj. Gen. Phanop Worathanatchakul, Chief of Investigation Division, Pol. Col. Ratchot Chotikhun, Deputy Chief of Investigation Division, and Pol. Col. Chitdecha Songhong, Deputy Chief of Sa Kaeo Provincial Police seconded to Investigation Division, ordered Pol. Col. Thawat Chai Narinrat, Chief of Division 1, Investigation Division, to lead a team with the Tourist Police Division 4 to track and arrest Mr. Alexander (alias), a 31-year-old Russian suspect involved in an online romance scam. He created a fake profile claiming to be an attractive foreign pilot, befriended victims on social media, gained their trust, and tricked them into transferring money multiple times, causing losses exceeding 4 million baht.
Officials learned the suspect was hiding in a condominium in Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. They inspected the location and arrested him peacefully before handing him over to the Muang Samut Prakan Police Station for legal action.
The Immigration Office warned the public to be cautious when forming relationships with people met online, especially those claiming to be foreigners or having reputable professions and who start requesting money transfers for any reason. This behavior is common in romance scams that cause significant losses to victims.
If the public notices or has information about suspicious foreign individuals or those possibly involved in illegal activities, they can report to the local Immigration Office or call the Immigration Hotline at 1178.