PATTAYA, THAILAND – Investigators from the Central Investigation Bureau dismantled an alleged cross-border fraud network in Pattaya involving a Russian national and a Thai woman.
Coordinated arrests in Pattaya area
On 23 February 2026, officers from the Consumer Protection Crime Suppression Division (Division 1) under the Central Investigation Bureau in Pattaya arrested two suspects accused of taking part in a technologically upgraded fraud operation. The investigation focused on a 35-year-old Russian man and a 20-year-old Thai woman alleged to have provided or used bank accounts to disguise money flows from suspected online scams.
Large-scale operation and command structure
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chawanasai, Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, and coordinated by Pol Maj Gen Kongkrit Loetsitthikun, Commander of the Consumer Protection Crime Suppression Bureau. Also involved were Pol Col Anuwat Rakcharoen as deputy commander, Pol Col Kraiwit Saentawisuk as head of Subdivision 1, and several lower-ranking officers, including Pol Lt Col Phairat Promwong, Pol Lt Col Phumiphat Buarattnakul and Pol Lt Col (f) Somwadi Phothiwat.
Warrants, locations and identical charges
An arrest warrant, No. 102/2569 dated 23 February 2026 from Chonburi Provincial Court, had been issued for Russian suspect Sergei Khabarov, who was detained in a condominium in Soi Boonyakanjana 5. At the same time, 20-year-old Thai national Sasivimon Soncharoen was arrested under warrant No. 98/2569 in front of a massage parlour at 28/19, Moo 2, with the allegations in both cases identical.
Alleged fraud and computer crime
The pair were accused of jointly committing fraud, including dishonestly or deceptively inputting false computer data into systems in a manner likely to cause harm to the public. They also faced suspicion of jointly committing fraud against the public and of opening or providing bank accounts without the intention of personal use, a practice in the region strongly linked to online fraud.
Origin of the case and key suspect trail
The probe stemmed from an instruction by the Anti-Online Scam Center of the national police headquarters, established by Order No. 575/2568 on 1 December 2025 in response to online complaint T6811011014. A further order dated 27 January 2026 tasked Subdivision 1 with tracing the movements of persons suspected of involvement around a key-figure suspect named Apisit Khadkhao and his associates.
Interrogations and wider network suspicion
According to police, Mr Khabarov and Ms Sasivimon were located at their respective residence or place of stay, shown the warrants and, in initial questioning, stated that they did not acknowledge the allegations before being taken to Nong Kham Police Station for further processing. Authorities believed the duo were part of a larger structure that lured victims into transferring money through deceptive tactics, causing significant financial damage, and continued investigations into possible accomplices and additional accounts.
Public warning over scam calls
In view of the high number of fraud cases, particularly in tourist-oriented cities such as Pattaya, police issued a strong advisory to the public.
“Do not transfer money, withdraw cash, or share personal information to strange callers!!! If in doubt, hang up immediately”
said police officials, in an official warning aimed mainly at preventing the disclosure of sensitive data to unknown callers.