PATTAYA, THAILAND – Thai and South Korean investigators arrested a Chinese national in Pattaya who was wanted by Interpol over an alleged cross-border call-centre fraud and human trafficking network.
Arrest of main suspect in Pattaya home
The main suspect, a Chinese citizen known under the Korean name Mr. Ham as well as Mr. Xian, was detained on 9 January 2026 in a residential house in Pattaya. An Interpol Red Notice had been issued for his arrest. Thai police carried out the operation jointly with investigators from South Korea, aiming to dismantle an international network that allegedly combined call-centre fraud with human trafficking.
Allegations of forced labour and call-centre scams
According to the agencies involved, Mr. Xian was accused of luring people abroad with false job offers. After arriving in a neighbouring country, the victims were allegedly intimidated with threats and forced to work in fraudulent call centres or to provide their bank accounts as so‑called “mule accounts.” Their passports were reportedly confiscated to prevent escape. The allegations included recruitment abroad, coercion, intimidation and forced labour.
Link to fatal attack on student
The suspected network was also linked to a violent attack that allegedly led to the death of a South Korean university student in a neighbouring country. After this incident, Mr. Xian was believed to have gone into hiding in Thailand to avoid arrest. Thai investigators stressed that the kingdom had been used as a place of refuge in this case.
“We have found no evidence that the fraudulent activities in this case were directed specifically against victims in Thailand,”
said police officers. The search for further clues and possible ringleaders was continuing.
Second Chinese man held over drug use
During the house search, another Chinese national, Mr. Chen, was arrested. He reportedly showed signs of drug influence, and a voluntary urine test confirmed the use of methamphetamine (“Ice”). Mr. Chen admitted consuming the substance and now faced accusations of possession and use of a Category 1 narcotic. He was handed over to investigators at Nong Prue Police Station in Chonburi province.
Further suspect under investigation
A third Chinese citizen found in the house was not initially arrested. However, he remained under investigation for possible links to the alleged fraud and trafficking network. Thai authorities indicated that inquiries into additional suspects and connections were ongoing.
International coordination and extradition process
The operation resulted from an information exchange between the Anti-Cyber Scam Centre (ACSC), the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and South Korean authorities. Their stated goal was to break up cross-border gangs using Thailand as a safe haven. Mr. Xian was transferred to prosecutors in the Department of International Affairs at the Office of the Attorney General, where extradition proceedings were under way. Thai police announced they would continue to act decisively against networks that abuse the country as a shelter for international crime.