PHUKET, THAILAND – Police have named a Russian man as the prime suspect in a baffling currency exchange heist. Vitalii Kobin, 47, allegedly swiped 600,000 Baht without leaving a single trace.
The theft happened on July 19 at a money exchange in Wichit. Staff only noticed the missing cash the next morning.
Suspect identified after two weeks
Officers from Wichit Police Station announced the suspect on July 28. They identified him as Vitalii Kobin. An arrest warrant has been issued for theft at night.
Police believe Kobin is still in Thailand. He has allegedly overstayed his visa for years.
No forced entry, safe opened with code
The heist occurred just before closing time. The safe was secured with a code. There were no signs of forced entry.
CCTV showed a man in a black jacket, shorts, cap and glasses. His brown mustache and behavior led investigators to suspect a foreigner.
Because the safe was opened with the correct password, police first thought a local was involved. They considered he might have disguised himself as a foreigner.
Arrest warrant and possible jail time
The warrant is based on Section 335 of the Criminal Code. If convicted, Kobin faces one to five years in prison.
The court may also impose a fine between 2,000 and 10,000 Baht.
Visa overstay and ongoing manhunt
Police say Kobin has overstayed his visa by several years. He has not fled after the alleged theft.
Investigators believe he remains in Thailand. The search for him continues.
Russian suspects in spotlight
Russian visitors are among the largest tourist groups in Phuket. Recently, several Russian nationals have come under police scrutiny.
Earlier this month, two Russians were arrested in Phuket as financial agents for call centre scammers. In May, police stopped a bus from Phuket to Pattaya and arrested a Russian with illegal drugs. Also in May, a fight between five Russians on a night market escalated, with one attacking Thai bystanders.
Wichit police are working to track down Vitalii Kobin. No new leads on his whereabouts have surfaced yet.