Thai cyber police detained a 31-year-old Russian national at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport accused of running a romance-based 'pig-butchering' investment fraud that targeted a Thai businessman. Police say the operation used nominee Thai bank accounts and cryptocurrency conversions to launder proceeds, and about 2 million baht has been frozen.

Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division arrested a 31-year-old Russian man at Suvarnabhumi Airport on allegations he led a romance-based pig-butchering investment fraud. Authorities allege the suspect cultivated a relationship with a Thai businessman, persuaded the victim to transfer funds into a fabricated short-term trading platform, and then laundered the proceeds using nominee Thai bank accounts and cryptocurrency conversions. Law enforcement sources reported that around 2 million baht held in related accounts has been frozen as part of the probe. Police say several co-suspects remain at large and that the case involves cross-border elements typical of sophisticated romance-investment scams, including offshore wallets and layered transfers to obscure provenance. The arrest at the international airport underscores heightened immigration screening and coordination between agencies to intercept suspects traveling through Thailand. Investigators are continuing financial tracing and seeking additional evidence to support charges and potential extradition or prosecution, while warning the public about romance approaches that rapidly move to investment solicitations.