KOH SAMUI, THAILAND – Thai immigration police have arrested Israeli national Oz Abudyan on suspicion of running a multimillion-baht online ticket scam targeting his compatriots.
Alleged online ticket scam spanned several Thai resorts
The Surat Thani immigration office detained Abudyan on the resort island of Koh Samui on 16 November 2025 after an international manhunt. According to police, the Israeli was wanted for repeated fraud via social media and messenger apps, in which he allegedly offered highly sought-after concert and football tickets that did not exist.
“The arrest was made following coordination between the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Israeli Embassy.”
said Police Lieutenant General Chuthares Yinyongdamrongkun.
Investigators said several Israeli victims had transferred large sums of money for the promised tickets, only to realise too late that they had been deceived. The total damage is estimated at several tens of millions of baht. After complaints were filed in Israel, Abudyan is believed to have fled to Phuket, then moved on to Pattaya, and finally to Koh Samui.
“He frequently changed accommodation in order to remain undetected.”
said police, adding that officers eventually tracked him to his last hideout and arrested him without incident.
Confession, digital evidence, and planned deportation
During questioning, Abudyan admitted to the fraud, authorities reported. Police officers said they found photos of high-profile concert tickets in Israel on his mobile phone.
“We assume these were intended to be used for further fraudulent sales.”
said one investigator, who described the evidence as pointing to a systematic online fraud scheme.
For Abudyan, Thailand has now “become a nightmare”, officers said. Police Colonel Naruwat Phuttawiro has requested the revocation of his residence permit.
“He will be deported under the Immigration Act and returned to Israel.”
said Naruwat, noting that the suspect will have to face court proceedings there. Authorities framed the case as a swift end to a criminal career in Thailand and reiterated a message of zero tolerance for foreign offenders operating in the country.