Chinese woman arrested over alleged B50 million Phuket villa nominee scheme

Phuket Immigration has arrested a Chinese woman identified only as Ms Lin over alleged use of Thai nominees to operate businesses and hold shares in Phuket, following searches at two locations in Rawai.

Ms Lin was arrested under a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court. She faces charges of conducting business in Thailand without authorisation as a foreign national, including brokerage and service activities, and using Thai nationals as nominees to hold shares on her behalf.

Immigration Division 6 said the investigation began after complaints alleging that Chinese nationals were working illegally and using Thai nominees to establish companies. Investigators found that Ms Lin held shares and served as a director of two companies suspected of using Thai nominees.

Both companies listed a Thai woman as a shareholder. The woman told investigators that she had acted only as a nominee, with Ms Lin providing all the capital and exercising sole control over the businesses, according to Immigration Division 6.

A search also uncovered a luxury villa valued at more than B50 million. In a separate financial investigation, officers found that a bank account belonging to Ms Lin had been suspended after being linked to nine cases involving suspected mule accounts used in online fraud.

The cases were recorded by police stations in Kanthararom, Tha Uthen, Borabue, Kaeng Krachan, Mueang Nakhon Pathom, Mueang Roi Et, Kho Hong, Bang Kaeo and Sadao. The alleged schemes included investment scams, deceptive job offers promising income from side work and fake stock-trading schemes.

Immigration officers also found that more than B100 million had passed through other bank accounts associated with Ms Lin. The authorities did not detail the dates or individual amounts involved, or establish whether the full sum was connected to criminal activity.

Immigration Division 6 said inspections and investigations into foreign nationals suspected of violating Thai law would continue. It also urged hotels and other accommodation providers to comply with Section 38 of the Immigration Act, which requires them to report foreign guests staying at their properties. Suspected illegal activity involving foreign nationals can be reported to the Immigration Bureau hotline on 1178.