PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – Thai police arrested a 36-year-old South Korean man linked by investigators to a Chinese-run call center scam that allegedly defrauded more than 50 victims of about 3.3 billion won through fake stock investments.
Arrest in Bangkok’s outer suburbs
The suspect, identified as Seung Yeol Jeong, was detained on 13 March at a rented house in the Passorn Prestige Rangsit Klong 2 housing estate in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani province. Officers took him into custody at the property, where he had allegedly been staying while avoiding contact with authorities.
The arrest was announced by Pol. Gen. Samran Nuanma, deputy national police chief and head of the Centre for the Suppression of Transnational Crime, together with Pol. Lt. Gen. Jirabhop Bhuridej. Both senior officers outlined the operation that led to Jeong’s capture.
Special unit and immigration officers involved
According to officials, officers from the commando unit of the Crime Suppression Division tracked down the suspect in cooperation with investigators from the Immigration Bureau. The joint team moved in once Jeong’s location had been confirmed.
Coordination was handled through Thailand’s Transnational Crime and Illegal Immigration Suppression Centre, which acts as an interface with foreign police agencies in such cases. The centre facilitated the exchange of information with South Korean counterparts during the search.
The scheme – professor identity on KakaoTalk
South Korean investigators linked Jeong to a Chinese-led call center group that allegedly operated out of Cambodia. The group was suspected of targeting South Korean investors from abroad.
The perpetrators were said to have created fake profiles on the messaging platform KakaoTalk, posing as a South Korean university professor supposedly specialized in investment advice. Through this fictitious persona, they sought to gain the confidence of potential victims.
Fake website and pressure for quick investments
Using the invented identity, the group allegedly contacted victims and persuaded them to enter into short-term, “promising” stock deals. The offers were presented as time-sensitive opportunities requiring swift decisions.
At the same time, the group reportedly built a professional-looking website to channel transfers into a so-called investment system and to create an impression of legitimacy. The site was used to reassure victims that their funds were being handled by a credible platform.
Billion-won losses and international manhunt
Investigations in South Korea found that more than 50 people had been defrauded, with total losses estimated at 3.3 billion won. The financial damage prompted Korean authorities to intensify their search for those involved.
South Korea subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Jeong and requested Thailand’s assistance in locating the suspect as part of bilateral cooperation. Thai agencies then began to trace his movements within the country.
Entry via Chong Mek, then hiding in Thailand
Thai investigators reported that Jeong had entered Thailand through the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani province. His arrival via the land border was later confirmed during the probe.
He then allegedly travelled on to Pathum Thani, rented a house and kept a low profile to stay out of sight of the authorities. Officers eventually tracked him down at this address, leading to his arrest.
Overstay as initial Thai charge
During the first inspection, authorities discovered that Jeong was staying in the country illegally because his permission to remain in Thailand had expired. This immigration offence became the basis for his immediate detention.
He was initially charged with overstaying the permitted period of stay, an offence that in Thailand regularly serves as a gateway to further investigations. The immigration case allowed police to hold him while examining the wider fraud allegations.
Next steps – Thai proceedings before extradition
The suspect was placed in custody and handed over to investigators at Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station, where legal proceedings were initiated. Officers there began processing the immigration and related case files.
Authorities stated that Jeong would first be dealt with under Thai law before an extradition to South Korea for prosecution over the alleged fraud would be prepared. They indicated that the handover would follow the completion of domestic procedures.