Indonesian man sought in crypto scam case arrested in Phuket
The suspect, identified only as ‘William’ (pseudonym), 33, was taken into custody at about 2pm last Friday (Apr 24) after officers tracked his whereabouts following a tip-off, according to the Immigration Bureau.
An Indonesian man wanted in a cryptocurrency scam case was arrested in Phuket at about 2pm on Friday, Apr. 24, after officers tracked him down following a tip-off, the Immigration Bureau said. The suspect, identified only as William, 33, was taken into custody after authorities confirmed he was the subject of an international arrest warrant and an Interpol Red Notice.
FBI case links suspect to UAE-based hybrid scam
Investigators said William is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud using electronic communications.
Police allege he took part in a large-scale “hybrid scam” operation based in the United Arab Emirates between 2022 and 2026, targeting victims primarily in the United States.
The scheme allegedly blended romance scams with fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. Victims were approached through dating apps and social media, then persuaded to put money into fake trading platforms that displayed fabricated profits to prompt further transfers.
Arrest tied to visa revocation and transnational crime crackdown
The arrest was carried out by officers from Immigration Division 3 working with Phuket Immigration under a visa revocation order, officials said.
Following the arrest, the suspect was taken for identity verification and legal processing. Immigration officials revoked his permission to stay in Thailand under Section 12(7) of the Immigration Act, classifying him as a prohibited person.
Police said the case was part of a wider Royal Thai Police campaign targeting transnational crime involving foreign fugitives using Thailand as a base.
He now faces deportation and further legal action in coordination with international authorities.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/indonesian-crypto-scam-suspect-arrested-in-phuket-100043.php
