Man Hacked Pattaya Hotel System to Scam Guests

Man Hacked Pattaya Hotel System to Scam Guests

PATTAYA, April 29, 2026 — Thai cyber police have arrested a dual Swedish-Finnish national accused of hacking into a hotel database in Pattaya and using stolen guest information to carry out a fraud scheme targeting tourists.

The 42-year-old suspect, identified only as Mikael, was detained on Wednesday at a residence in Chon Buri province, according to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau.

Authorities said the suspect, an IT specialist, allegedly accessed the hotel’s guest database and used the information to impersonate hotel staff. He then contacted guests, falsely claiming they had damaged property and demanding compensation payments.

Police seized more than 20 electronic devices, including computers, hard drives and mobile phones, during the arrest.

Investigators said more than 35 victims, both Thai and foreign nationals, were tricked into transferring money, with total losses estimated at around 100,000 baht ($3,000).

The suspect had reportedly been living in Thailand for several years with his Thai wife, who worked at the hotel, which may have facilitated access to the database, police said.

He faces charges under Thailand’s Computer Crime Act, including unauthorised access to protected data and inputting false information into a computer system.

Authorities have urged hotel guests and tourists to verify any payment requests directly with hotels before transferring money.

The case highlights ongoing concerns over cybersecurity risks in Thailand’s tourism sector, particularly in major destinations where hotels handle large volumes of sensitive customer data.