Japanese Yakuza Telephone Scam Boss Arrested at Bangkok Airport
Japanese Yakuza Telephone Scam Boss Arrested at Bangkok Airport
BANGKOK, June 9, 2026 — Thai authorities have arrested a Japanese national identified as a senior Yakuza member and alleged leader of a major call centre scam syndicate operating from Cambodia, as he attempted to leave Thailand for a third country.
The suspect, 31-year-old Takafumi Sugawara, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport on June 8 in a joint operation by officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Immigration Bureau.
Authorities classified Sugawara as a prohibited person under Thailand’s Immigration Act, citing concerns that he posed a threat to public safety and was wanted by foreign law enforcement agencies.
According to Japanese investigators, Sugawara is a senior member of a Yakuza organization and allegedly directed a transnational fraud network targeted victims in Japan through sophisticated telephone scams.
Investigators said the operation employed a three-stage scheme beginning with automated calls impersonating telecommunications provider NTT. Victims were falsely warned that their phone services would be suspended and were prompted to provide personal information before being transferred to individuals posing as police officers and prosecutors.
The suspects allegedly convinced victims that they were connected to criminal activities involving organized crime groups and instructed them to transfer money to prove their innocence.
Japanese police linked the organization to at least 40 fraud cases during 2024, with estimated losses exceeding one billion yen.
The investigation intensified after Japanese authorities informed Thai police that Sugawara had been hiding in Thailand while evading prosecution in Japan. Subsequent intelligence indicated that he was preparing to leave the country, prompting officers to deploy surveillance teams at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Police located the suspect near an airport check-in counter shortly before departure and arrested him without incident.
Thai authorities have since revoked his permission to remain in the country and transferred him to an immigration detention facility. Officials said he is expected to be deported to Japan, where he will face criminal proceedings related to fraud and organized crime allegations.
