BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thai police arrested a Chinese man accused of running a large-scale online fraud and cryptocurrency laundering scheme while staying in the country on a Thailand Privilege Card visa.
Facebook trading fraud triggers police action
The investigation by the Cyber Crime Investigation Division (CCID) began in late March 2025, after a victim reported losing over 2.9 million baht through a fake e-commerce venture on Facebook and the chat app LINE. Investigators confirmed the suspect group operated multiple private online rooms titled “Store Visibility Activation” where participants were prompted to make repeated payments.
Major raids across Bangkok and beyond
During raids on 8 April and 7 May 2025, police detained 28 suspects, including 10 Chinese and 24 Thai nationals, while seizing 12 laptops, 64 mobile phones, and assets worth over 6 million baht. Officers identified Da Qiang, a Chinese citizen, as a key figure within the transnational fraud ring.
Cryptocurrency laundering network exposed
According to financial files obtained by CCID officers, Da Qiang allegedly converted USDT (Tether) to baht and yuan, circulating over 330 million baht (more than 10 million USD) in 18 months through several crypto exchanges. Investigators said the transfers aimed to conceal profits from online call-center scams.
Arrest and seizure at Soi Rang Nam
After his arrest at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, officers escorted Da Qiang to his apartment on Soi Rang Nam, Ratchathewi District, where they seized three mobile phones, twelve SIM cards, ten bank cards, and extensive remittance records.
Suspect denies wrongdoing
“I only operated digital wallets and exchanged currencies according to instructions from Chinese clients. I had no knowledge of any illegal activity,”
said Da Qiang, suspect.
Prosecutors are considering charges of public fraud, computer data falsification, money-laundering conspiracy, and illegal lottery operations. The Office of the Attorney General is reviewing the evidence for indictment.
Elite visa program under renewed scrutiny
Authorities confirmed that the suspect had entered Thailand under the Thailand Privilege Card (Elite Visa), a long-term residency program for affluent foreigners. The discovery has prompted renewed debate over background-check procedures for high-value visa holders.
Ongoing investigation and warnings
Thailand’s cybercrime investigators continue to track financial links between domestic accounts and foreign controllers believed to be based in mainland China. The police issued an advisory highlighting key risks:
- Abuse of long-term visas for illegal finance operations
- Challenges in monitoring cross-border cryptocurrency flows
- Growth of social media-based scams masked as legitimate commerce
Law-enforcement officers urged the public to verify online investment offers and report any suspicious transactions to the CCID Hotline 1441.