Thai immigration police arrested a Chinese national, identified as 39-year-old Mr. Tianwei, on Thursday morning at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok.
The arrest took place at 6:00 a.m. local time as Tianwei attempted to flee to Singapore on Lion Air flight SL100.
Authorities confirmed the suspect was wanted in connection with a high-profile Bitcoin fraud case involving over 200 million baht (approximately $6.15 million USD).
The arrest followed a coordinated operation led by Thai immigration authorities and the Chiang Rai Provincial Police after a warrant was issued for Tianwei on charges of fraud.
Victims Lost Millions in Bitcoin After Business Meeting
The investigation began on April 30, 2025, when two Chinese nationals filed a complaint at Mae Sai Police Station in Chiang Rai province.
According to their testimony, they had met Tianwei in Mae Sai on April 23 to discuss a potential Bitcoin investment.
Following the meeting, the victims transferred Bitcoin in two separate transactions totaling the equivalent of 200 million baht to a digital wallet under Tianwei’s control.
However, no investment returns were delivered, and the suspect disappeared, prompting the victims to seek legal intervention.
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Arrest Warrant Issued Following Coordinated Investigation
After reviewing evidence and verifying the transaction history, the Chiang Rai Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant for Tianwei on May 16, 2025.
Intelligence gathered by the authorities indicated that the suspect was planning to escape via a flight to Singapore.
Thai immigration police at Don Mueang Airport were notified in advance and deployed officers at the international departure terminal to monitor the area.
Their surveillance paid off when Tianwei was spotted and detained just before boarding the aircraft.
Arrest Conducted Smoothly, Suspect Identified and Interrogated
Upon his arrest, Tianwei communicated with the officers in English.
Immigration police, led by Sergeant Suwaphan Utsaha, used an interpreter to explain the suspect’s legal rights and the details of the charges filed against him.
Tianwei confirmed his identity and admitted that he had not previously been arrested in connection with the case.
After the arrest procedures were completed, the suspect was transferred to Mae Sai Police Station, where he is now awaiting further legal proceedings and formal charges related to the fraudulent transactions.
Growing Crypto Crime Crackdown Across Asia
Tianwei’s arrest is the latest in a string of high-profile cryptocurrency-related criminal cases across Asia.
Thai authorities recently arrested four Russian nationals in Phuket for their involvement in a global ransomware scheme that netted $16 million in Bitcoin.
In Hong Kong, over 500 people were arrested in a $199 million crackdown targeting crypto-related fraud, money laundering, and tech-driven scams.
Thai and Chinese law enforcement also cooperated in seizing $2.5 million in USDT linked to a separate fraud case.
These incidents highlight a growing regional effort to combat the surge in crypto-related crime, as authorities adapt to increasingly sophisticated digital fraud tactics.
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