PATTAYA, THAILAND – Thai cyber police dismantled an alleged international online fraud hub in a Pattaya condominium and arrested two Chinese nationals.
Condo raid uncovers phones, laptops and cash
Specialists from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) and the immigration police stormed a condo in Bang Lamung on Friday under a court-issued search warrant. On the sixth floor, officers arrested Chinese nationals Liu Meng (39) and Shao Zhong (49). They seized 26 mobile phones, two laptops, a router and four notebooks containing written records.
Police also confiscated 103,400 Baht in cash, equivalent to about 2,585 euros. Many of the phones showed constant notification alerts from the Telegram app, all in Chinese.
Suspected call-center scams and OTP theft
According to the CCIB, investigators had received information that a Chinese group had set up operations in Pattaya. Its alleged purpose was to run fraud schemes such as call-center scams and the interception of one-time passwords (OTP). These codes were described as crucial access keys to bank accounts and widely used in financial fraud.
The arrested men told police the devices were used for investment and romance scams targeting Chinese victims. They said the stolen money was transferred directly to a Chinese boss, according to their confession during questioning. However, they refused to provide access codes for the 26 mobile phones.
Disputed ownership of seized phones
“The phones do not belong to us. We do not know the passwords.”
said Liu Meng and Shao Zhong, according to police.
Investigators were unconvinced by this statement, pointing to the extensive equipment found in the apartment. All confiscated devices were placed under forensic examination to secure digital evidence.
Forensic work to map criminal structure
Specialized tools were to be used to retrieve and preserve data from the devices. Investigators aimed to decrypt communications on the phones and uncover the full structure of the alleged criminal network. Authorities said they were working to identify links to other cybercrime operations.
Immigration offences already before the court
While the main investigation into the fraud allegations continued, the two men already faced court proceedings for immigration violations. Liu Meng was accused of overstaying his visa by 260 days, while Shao Zhong allegedly failed to report a change of residence. Both suspects were taken into custody as further legal steps proceeded.
Police officials emphasized that this operation marked only the beginning of a broader crackdown. They indicated that more charges could follow as digital evidence was analysed.
Hunt for accomplices and money trails
The cyber police pursued their investigation with high priority, focusing on additional accomplices and connections to other criminal networks. In parallel, officers examined financial flows to identify suspicious accounts. Their aim was to freeze assets believed to originate from technology-related crimes.
Authorities noted that Pattaya remained a hotspot for international cybercriminals. They said the raid showed that law enforcement agencies had recognized the threat and were actively responding.
Message to foreign crime gangs and impact on Pattaya
Thai authorities framed the operation as a clear warning to foreign fraud groups. They stressed that the country was not a safe haven for overseas scam syndicates and that cooperation between cyber police and immigration services would be further intensified.
“We will not ease up,”
said sources within the CCIB.
For tourists and residents in Pattaya, police described the arrests as a reassuring development. Officials said the fight against the darker side of mass tourism was in full swing, as online fraud operations increasingly targeted victims beyond Thailand’s borders.