PATTAYA – Thai immigration police have arrested a major South Korean crime boss in the resort city of Pattaya. The suspect allegedly managed a massive online gambling network and a phone scam operation from Thailand.
Officers captured the 45-year-old suspect, identified only as Mr. Kim, after receiving a tip from global law enforcement. Kim was wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for running multiple illegal websites that targeted victims in South Korea.
Key Takeaways
- High-Profile Arrest: Thai Immigration Region 3 police arrested a 45-year-old South Korean fugitive named Mr. Kim inside a Pattaya massage shop.
- Massive Crime Network: Kim allegedly operated several illicit online gambling websites and call center scams that generated over 124 million baht annually per site.
- Seized Evidence: Authorities raided his local residence and confiscated multiple computers containing active backend systems, financial transaction logs, and agent accounts.
According to official reports from the MGR Online Crime Division, intelligence units tracked Kim to a wellness venue. Officers discovered that the suspect frequently visited a specific traditional massage parlor in the Nong Prue sub-district.
Undercover operatives set up a stakeout inside the shop on July 2 to catch the suspect. Their patience paid off the next afternoon when a man matching Kim’s physical profile walked into the venue.
Police immediately moved in, confirmed his identity, and revoked his temporary stay permit on the spot. They then took the suspect to his nearby rental home for a thorough search.
Police Crackdown on Transnational Fugitives
Inside the residence, investigators uncovered a sophisticated digital command center loaded with high-tech computers. A preliminary digital inspection revealed live backend management systems for active gambling networks, including websites named Shinsegae, Gangnam, Bangatgan, and Blue.
The systems displayed extensive user data, total bets, profit margins, and rolling turnover statistics. Investigators discovered that each illicit website generated an estimated annual circulation of 124 million baht ($3.4 million USD).
The seized platforms offered illegal virtual games, including online baccarat and digital slot machines. Law enforcement officials believe the operation successfully defrauded thousands of unsuspecting victims back in South Korea.
Immigration Bureau Region 3 Commander Major General Songprode Sirisukha confirmed that the investigation is expanding rapidly. Authorities are actively checking local connections to see if any Thai nationals helped Kim hide or manage the money.
Kim has been transferred to the Immigration Bureau’s investigation division to await formal deportation. Thai police continue to urge the public to report any suspicious foreign activity using their 1178 emergency hotline.
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