Indonesian Suspect Linked to $10M Scam Arrested in Phuket

Indonesian Suspect Linked to $10M Scam Arrested in Phuket

PHUKET, April 26, 2026 — Thai immigration police have arrested an Indonesian man wanted by the United States and Interpol over his alleged role in a transnational scam network that authorities say caused losses of more than $10 million in the United States alone.

The 33-year-old suspect, identified only as Mr. William, was detained on April 24 after officers tracked him from a luxury resort in Phuket to the airport, officials said.

Authorities said the suspect was sought under a U.S. arrest warrant and an Interpol Red Notice. Thai officers revoked his visa-exempt tourist status under immigration law before taking him into custody.

Police allege the man was a key figure in a hybrid fraud operation linked to a syndicate based in the United Arab Emirates that targeted victims between 2022 and 2026.

Investigators said victims were approached through dating apps, social media and other online platforms, where scammers used hired individuals to build trust through video calls in a romance scam format.

Once confidence was established, victims were persuaded to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that showed fabricated profits, authorities said.

Thai police said the case highlights the growing sophistication of hybrid scams that combine romance fraud, social engineering and fake investment schemes.

The suspect has been transferred for further legal processing as Thai authorities coordinate with international counterparts on possible extradition proceedings.