Indonesian Man Arrested in Phuket for $10 Million Crypto Romance Scam

Thai immigration police arrested a 33-year-old Indonesian man at a luxury resort in Phuket on April 24 for his alleged involvement in a $10 million USD cryptocurrency romance scam. The suspect, identified as Mr. William (alias), was wanted by the FBI and Interpol and was located following an intelligence-led investigation.

Hybrid Fraud Scheme and Victim Losses

Investigators allege that William participated in an international fraud ring operating from 2022 to 2026, which combined romance scams with cryptocurrency investment fraud. The group reportedly hired attractive models to appear in video calls, building trust with victims through convincing online relationships.

Victims were then encouraged to invest in fake trading platforms, with fabricated profit reports used to prompt larger deposits. Losses attributed to the scheme exceed $10 million USD (approximately 350 million THB) in the United States alone.

Immigration Violations and Police Response

Authorities confirmed that William entered Thailand legally under a tourist visa exemption. His activities, however, violated Section 12 (7) of Thailand’s Immigration Act B.E. 2522, leading to the revocation of his permission to remain in the country.

Thai police noted the increasing prevalence of hybrid scams exploiting dating apps, social media, and messaging platforms, urging the public to verify information before making financial transactions.

Source: https://thephuketexpress.com/2026/04/25/indonesian-fugitive-arrested-in-phuket-for-10-million-usd-crypto-romance-scam/