Authorities raided a gray-market Chinese gang using a luxury Pattaya home as a base for a "Hybrid Scam" that deceived victims into romantic investments by posing as senior military generals. Over 100 victims were identified, with financial damages exceeding 350 million baht.
At 16:00 on 9 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Police General Samran Nualma, Royal Thai Police Commissioner, ordered Police Lieutenant General Nopsilp Poolsawat, Immigration Bureau Commander, and Police Lieutenant General Wasan Techakarkasem, Region 2 Commander, to lead investigation teams from the Immigration Office, Region 2 police, Chonburi Provincial Police, and Nong Prue Police Station. They executed a Pattaya Provincial Court search warrant to raid a house on Thung Klom–Tanman Road, Moo 14, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province, after receiving intelligence that a Chinese group was using it as a base. "Hybrid Scam: A deceitful scheme involving fake romantic relationships to lure victims into investment fraud."
Initial inspections found the house to be a luxurious two-story detached home with a large swimming pool on over 1 rai of land, with a 'For Sale' sign in front. Investigation teams from immigration, regional, and provincial police entered and found a group of Chinese nationals working inside. They identified themselves and arrested 10 foreigners: 8 Chinese and 2 Myanmar nationals. Seized items included 2 laptops, 32 mobile phones, and over 178 SIM cards.
Investigators uncovered key evidence revealing the scam targeted mainly married women in China. Two detained Chinese suspects were found dressed to impersonate Chinese lieutenant generals. Chat messages showed attempts to induce love and investment in fake stock schemes. Bank transfer records from a Chinese bank showed over 700 transactions totaling 350 million baht.
Police Lieutenant General Nopsilp Poolsawat, Immigration Bureau Commander, revealed that all eight Chinese suspects entered Thailand illegally—seven via the Cambodia border in Sa Kaeo Province, and one through the Laos border at Chong Mek, Ubon Ratchathani Province. Four of these eight have outstanding warrants from China and are key suspects wanted by Chinese authorities.
Among the detained Chinese, four have Chinese warrants for assault and fraud (call center scam): Mr. Yang Wang, Mr. Chao Fang, Mr. Zuo Guifu, and Mr. Xu Ningxun. Additionally, two Myanmar nationals detained served as housekeepers: Mr. Min Kin, an illegal immigrant, and Mr. Tasin A, who has overstayed in Thailand by more than 357 days.
The gang leader, Mr. Guan Chunyu, 37, a Chinese national, orchestrated the "Hybrid Scam" by fabricating romantic relationships to lure investments. The operation was divided into three groups: one searched for Chinese victims via Douyin (Chinese TikTok); the second built relationships over 15–30 days before persuading victims to download a fake Chinese medicine stock investment app and transfer funds to Chinese bank accounts; the third group, based in China, handled withdrawing money from victim accounts.
Interrogations revealed the suspects rented the house for 140,000 baht monthly, using it as their fraud base for about six months. Approximately 100 Chinese victims have been identified, with reported losses of about 2 million baht on the morning of 9 Nov 2026 GMT+7 alone. Financial transfer records show roughly 700 transactions totaling 350 million baht. Authorities are currently gathering evidence, verifying identities and warrants with Thai and Chinese databases to prosecute and expand investigations against related networks.
Police Lieutenant General Nopsilp Poolsawat and Police Lieutenant General Wasan Techakarkasem jointly urged the public to report suspicious behavior of Chinese or other foreign groups renting homes and engaging in illegal activities. They emphasized that the public is the first line of defense and can provide the best information to prevent foreign groups from committing any form of crime.