Thai authorities have arrested a Swedish national on Koh Samui island who was wanted for a large-scale computer fraud causing more than 20 million baht in damages.
The Police General Samran Nuanma, commander of the national police, had ordered a targeted operation against foreigners in breach of the law. The immigration services of Region 6, in coordination with the provinces of Surat Thani and Trang as well as the cyber police, located and arrested David, a Swedish national wanted by his country.
According to Col. Charoenphong Khantilo, spokesperson for Immigration 6, the man and his accomplices have, since the beginning of the year, defrauded individuals, businesses and Swedish families by getting them to install the software “AnyDesk”. This programme allowed them to remotely take control of the victims’ computers and empty their bank accounts.
The diverted sums, exceeding six million Swedish kronor (£460,000), were used to acquire luxury goods intended for money laundering: Rolex Daytona and Submariner watches, iPhone 17 Pro Max, MacBook and gold bars.
The suspect is also accused of taking part in a scheme in which the fraudsters posed as police officers in order to persuade victims to hand over firearms “to be placed under seal”. Nine pistols were thus recovered before being hidden in public places.
David had already been known to Swedish services since 2013 for money laundering, drug trafficking, violence and weapons-related offences. Sentenced to ten months in prison, he was the subject of an international arrest warrant for fraud and possession of weapons. His passport had been cancelled.
After his arrest, he was placed in custody pending extradition to Sweden, in coordination with the Swedish embassy and Interpol.
Sources : MGROnline, local source