Singaporean among 24 arrested in Thai police raids on scam group hiding in hotel, luxury pool villa
Thai authorities have busted a cross-border scam network hiding in luxury accommodation near Bangkok, arresting 24 suspects including a Singaporean. The gang, which fled Myanmar, is accused of targeting victims using Singapore phone numbers and using Thailand as a transit base.
- Thai police arrested 24 suspected members of a cross-border scam network hiding in a luxury villa in Samut Prakan and a hotel in Bangkok.
- The group included nationals from the Philippines, Malaysia, China and Singapore — the Singaporean is believed to be part of the network.
- Investigators said the suspects fled destabilised scam operations in Myanmar and used Thailand as a transit hub, allegedly targeting victims via Singapore-registered phone numbers.
Thai law-enforcement officials announced on 31 October 2025 that they had arrested 24 suspected scammers during coordinated raids in the Samut Prakan province and in central Bangkok.
According to the country’s Central Investigation Bureau, the first raid took place on 29 October at a luxury pool villa on the outskirts of Bangkok in Samut Prakan province.
Inside, police found 22 foreign nationals.
A second operation at the Furama Xclusive Pratunam Park Hotel in Bangkok led to the arrest of two more suspects, bringing the total to 24.
Network composition and origin of suspects
Police identified the detained suspects as including 21 Filipinos, one Malaysian, one Chinese national and one Singaporean.
At the villa raid, immigration checks found two entrants who had entered Thailand illegally and 16 who had overstayed their visas; the Singaporean and two others had valid visas but are under investigation for alleged scam involvement.
Investigators say the group originally operated in the border town of Myawaddy in Myanmar, a known hub for scam gang operations.
As violence surged, they fled to Thailand under arrangements made by their “manager”.
Scam methods and targets
According to Thai police statements, the suspect network is believed to be led by a Chinese national known only as “Boss Lin”, who reportedly oversees three scam companies in Myawaddy named DBL1, DBL2 and DRS.
Their alleged modus operandi included using Singapore-registered phone numbers to contact victims and lure them into fake investment or employment schemes.
The luxury villa was reportedly rented by the network’s manager for about 200,000 baht (approx. S$8,000) for the period 27 – 31 October as a temporary hide-out while they arranged transit out of Thailand.
Ongoing investigation and international cooperation
Thai authorities said they are continuing to investigate remaining senior members — five Malaysians identified as mid-level managers had escaped before the hotel raid.
Co-operation between Thai immigration, the Anti-Cyber Scam Centre and foreign law-enforcement agencies including Singaporean authorities is underway, to trace victims and dismantle the network’s overseas connections.
