Ukrainian man wanted by Interpol arrested in Phuket

Phuket Immigration Police arrested a Ukrainian man identified as Mr Yeken, who was wanted by Interpol, at about 10am on 11 August, police said.

Police said Yeken was wanted in connection with an economic crime network based in Kyiv and had fled to Thailand. Investigators allege that Yeken and associates created fake Telegram accounts and a cryptocurrency trading platform designed to imitate the Bybit application.

Victims were allegedly persuaded to transfer money to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by the suspects. Police said one victim lost more than US$1,981, or about B65,000, in September 2025. The investigation is continuing to identify other possible victims and locate other members of the alleged network.

Immigration Division 6 revoked Yeken’s permission to stay in Thailand after considering him a prohibited person under the Immigration Act. Immigration officers informed him of the decision before taking him into custody. He was transferred to Phuket Immigration for deportation and further legal proceedings.

The operation was conducted under the direction of Phuket Immigration Police Superintendent Pol Col Khemachat Wattananapakasem and Deputy Superintendent Pol Lt Col Wisarut La-iad-ong. The investigation team included Phuket Immigration inspectors Pol Lt Col Adisorn Boonchum and Pol Lt Col Trin Khamphatee, along with immigration investigators from Phuket.