Russian suspect arrested in Phuket over scam cash withdrawals

Police in Phuket arrested 41-year-old Russian national Anton Kurchenko on April 20 after he was caught withdrawing large sums of cash linked to a call centre scam. Officers monitored Kurchenko as he made 16 ATM withdrawals outside a supermarket on Soi Ta-iad in the Chalong area, ultimately seizing evidence of fraudulent activity tied to multiple cases across Thailand.

Details of the Arrest and Investigation

According to Phuket Provincial Police, Kurchenko withdrew a total of approximately 331,000 baht in 16 separate transactions. Investigators traced these withdrawals to 16 call centre scam cases, with total reported losses from victims exceeding 790,000 baht.

After gathering evidence, officers raided Kurchenko’s apartment in Rawai and arrested him in his room. Police said the suspect was responsible for withdrawing money from mule accounts as part of a broader money laundering network.

Related Cases and Ongoing Crackdown

In a comparable case last month, Chon Buri police arrested 20-year-old Russian Mark Zhambalove for withdrawing over 4.6 million baht from multiple ATMs. Officers seized 96,000 baht in cash, an iPhone 13, and a blue Yamaha NMAX motorcycle during that operation.

Authorities also reported the arrest of more than 30 Indian nationals at a Chon Buri villa on April 20 for allegedly running an investment scam targeting victims in India. Police stated that Kurchenko was transferred to Kanchanadit Police Station in Surat Thani for further legal proceedings, and further questioning aims to identify additional members of the scam network.

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/russian-man-held-after-withdrawing-call-centre-scam-funds-in-phuket