Pattaya Pool Villa Used as Suspected Scam Hub, 20 Indians Held
Pattaya Pool Villa Used as Suspected Scam Hub, 20 Indians Held
PATTAYA, April 21, 2026 — Thai police raided a luxury villa in Pattaya and detained more than 20 Indian nationals suspected of operating an illegal investment scam targeting people in India, authorities said on Monday, in the latest crackdown on foreign-run fraud networks using Thailand as a base.
The operation took place on April 20 after immigration police and tourist police received reports that more than 30 Indian nationals were staying at a private pool villa and allegedly involved in unlawful activities.
Inside the two-storey property, officers found over 20 men seated with laptops and dozens of mobile phones, appearing to contact potential investors online and by phone.
Investigators said the group was allegedly persuading fellow Indians to invest in business ventures and online trading schemes involving stocks, gold and cryptocurrencies.
Police seized 18 laptops, 30 mobile phones, and documents outlining payment structures for roles including call centre operations, marketing, finance and administration.
One document reportedly showed marketing staff receiving salaries of 100,000 Indian rupees (about 34,000 baht) per month.
All suspects were taken to the Chon Buri Immigration Office for questioning. Several reportedly admitted they had entered Thailand in March and were working to help Indian clients trade through various websites in exchange for commission payments.
Authorities said most of the suspected victims or clients were based in India.
Police also found 10 additional Indian nationals, both men and women, at the property and charged them with failing to properly report their residence under Thai immigration regulations.
The case has been transferred to Pattaya City Police Station for further legal action.
Thailand has intensified efforts against transnational cybercrime, call-centre fraud and investment scams, particularly in tourist hubs such as Pattaya, Phuket and Bangkok, where foreign criminal groups have increasingly been uncovered.
Officials said investigators are still examining financial records and digital evidence to determine the scale of the alleged fraud and whether wider networks were involved.
