Thai authorities arrested a Chinese woman at the center of a high-stakes cryptocurrency scam, only to discover her boyfriend, found at the same luxury villa, was a fugitive wanted in China for kidnapping.
According to a statement from Thailand’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), Wu Di, 27, was taken into custody for orchestrating a crypto investment fraud operation that reportedly scammed victims out of over 600 million baht (roughly US$17.7 million) in just two months. Wu was apprehended during a raid at a private villa in Pattaya, a well-known tourist destination.
However, the raid took an unexpected turn when police also detained Zhou Zongyon, a 29-year-old Chinese national staying at the residence. Authorities soon discovered Zhou was subject to an Interpol Red Notice, wanted in connection with a kidnapping case in China. Zhou had allegedly entered Thailand illegally, attempting to evade capture.
Investigation Traced Millions in Stolen Funds to Wu’s Crypto Wallet
The investigation that led to Wu Di’s arrest began in April 2024, after a Thai school teacher reported to the police that she had fallen victim to a crypto investment scam. The victim disclosed that she had been contacted via Facebook by an individual who convinced her to invest in what was described as a Singapore-dollar-denominated investment fund.
At first, the scam followed a familiar pattern: the teacher received modest returns and could withdraw small amounts to build trust. However, when she decided to invest a larger sum—around 1.5 million baht (approximately $41,000)—she suddenly found herself unable to access her funds, prompting her to report the fraud to authorities.
Further investigation revealed that the stolen money was funneled through a network of four bank accounts opened by Thai nationals before being converted into cryptocurrency. The digital tokens were traced to a Cambodian crypto wallet registered under Wu Di’s name.
Digging deeper, police uncovered that Wu’s wallet was linked to at least 63 separate fraud cases, totaling over 618 million baht (roughly $17.7 million) in damages. During the raid at Wu’s Pattaya residence, officers also seized compelling evidence, including photos on Wu’s phone showing luxury travel, large sums of cash, and possible drug use. Investigators noted that Wu frequently traveled between Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia, which indicates broader transnational criminal operations.
Authorities Detain Fugitive Linked to Kidnapping and Laundering
Thai police confirmed they have arrested all four Thai nationals who operated the so-called “puppet accounts” used to funnel stolen funds, as well as Zhou Zongyon, Wu’s boyfriend, who remains in Thai custody.
Zhou is wanted by Chinese authorities in connection with a brutal kidnapping case. According to reports, Zhou allegedly abducted a woman in Cambodia, sending graphic images of the victim being tortured to her family while demanding a ransom of 1 million yuan (approximately $138,000).
Thai media outlets further report that Zhou is suspected of participating in money laundering activities tied to regional scam call centers.
An initial investigation of Zhou’s passport revealed no record of legal entry into Thailand. Upon questioning, Zhou admitted to illegally crossing into Thailand from Cambodia.
Rise of Cryptocurrency Scams in Southeast Asia
In recent months, there has been a rapid rise in cryptocurrency-related scams in Southeast Asia. These schemes often combine elements of romance and investment fraud, where scammers build trust with victims through fake online personas before luring them into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.
This method, known as “pig butchering,” has led to significant financial losses for individuals across the region.
According to a Reuters research, the proliferation of such scams has been facilitated by loosely regulated casinos and online gambling platforms, particularly in areas like Myanmar’s border regions. These operations are often protected by armed groups and involve human trafficking and coercion, with victims forced to participate in illegal online schemes targeting individuals globally.
In response to the growing threat, Southeast Asian countries have intensified efforts to dismantle scam centers and rescue individuals trapped in these operations. A recent multinational crackdown led to the liberation of over 7,000 people from compounds in Myanmar where they were forced into cyber scams. However, many of the rescued individuals now face challenges, including overcrowded detention facilities and delays in repatriation.
Quick Facts:
- Thai police arrested Chinese national Wu Di in Pattaya over a crypto scam worth approximately US$17.7 million.
- Authorities discovered her boyfriend, Zhou Zongyon, was a fugitive wanted in China for a kidnapping case.
- Zhou allegedly entered Thailand illegally after being linked to money laundering and ransom-related crimes.
