UPDATE: Russian fugitive wanted over B150mn fraud arrested in Phuket
Thai police said a Russian man identified only as Igor was arrested at a luxury villa in Phuket on Saturday, June 13, under an Interpol Red Notice over alleged fraud and document forgery causing more than 150 million baht in losses.
Thai immigration authorities have arrested a Russian national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice after locating him at a luxury villa in Phuket, and have also charged him with overstaying his permitted period of stay by nine days.
The suspect, identified only as Igor, was apprehended by officers from Immigration Police Division 6 and Phuket Immigration Bureau on Saturday, June 13, following a joint investigation with Russian authorities and the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police. Immigration Bureau Commissioner Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalak said the arrest was part of an ongoing crackdown on foreign fugitives and transnational criminals hiding in Thailand.
According to immigration police, intelligence reports indicated that Igor, described as a dangerous fraud suspect, was living in Phuket after entering Thailand earlier this year. Investigators said he was the subject of Interpol Red Notice No. A-6580/4-2026, issued on April 27, 2026, on charges of fraud and document forgery.
Russian authorities allege that Igor was involved in a criminal network that forged company documents to obtain payments for goods that were never produced. In 2024, the group allegedly falsified procurement and transportation documents to secure payments, causing losses of more than 80 million baht. In early 2025, it allegedly used forged production documents to defraud a company of more than 70 million baht. The combined damage from the alleged offences exceeds 150 million baht.
After locating the suspect's residence, officers conducted surveillance at the villa in Phuket. At about 11 a.m. on Saturday, officers saw Igor leaving the property and moved in to arrest him.
A check through the Immigration Bureau's biometric system showed that the suspect entered Thailand through Phuket International Airport on March 7, 2026. He was initially granted permission to stay until May 5 and later received an extension from Phuket Immigration valid until June 4. Police said he remained in the country after that extension expired and was charged with overstaying.
Authorities said Igor was informed of his rights and transferred to investigators for legal proceedings. Immigration police said that once legal action in Thailand is completed, he will be deported to Russia in accordance with immigration procedures.
The operation was led by officers from Immigration Police Division 6 and Phuket Immigration Bureau under the direction of senior Immigration Bureau commanders overseeing efforts to locate and arrest foreign fugitives residing in Thailand.
