Singaporean scam suspect Eng Sie arrested in Khon Kaen hideout

THAILAND: Singaporean national Eng Sie, also known as Brian, was arrested by Thai authorities in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand, after months on the run in connection with a large-scale scam operation based in Cambodia.

According to Bangkok Post, the 32-year-old was apprehended at a house in tambon Dong Lan, located in Si Chompu district, where he had been hiding with his Thai wife.

His arrest was confirmed by Pol Lt Col Narongrit Phumphuang, superintendent of Investigation Division 3 of the Technology Crime Suppression Division.

Authorities said that Eng had overstayed his Thai visa and was the subject of an Interpol red notice. He was wanted for suspected involvement in a transnational criminal syndicate accused of conducting impersonation scams targeting Singaporean victims from Phnom Penh.

According to Thai police, investigators were tipped off that Eng was living in Khon Kaen through his marital links in the region. This led to a court-approved search warrant issued by the Chum Phae court on 13 November. Officers subsequently raided the property and arrested him without resistance.

During questioning, Eng admitted to working for the scam ring as a finance administrator while based in Cambodia. He told officers that his superiors were both Singaporean and Malaysian nationals.

“The group impersonated government officials and threatened victims in Singapore to give them money,” said Pol Lt Col Narongrit.

Police said Eng was paid a monthly salary of US$4,000 (approximately S$5,200) for his role in the operation.

Following his arrest, Eng was deported to Singapore, where the Singapore Police Force (SPF) formally took him into custody. He was later charged under the Organised Crime Act 2015 on 17 November.

His arrest is part of a wider enforcement operation coordinated between Singaporean, Thai, and Cambodian police.

Eng is one of 34 suspects wanted by Singapore authorities, including 27 other Singaporeans and seven Malaysians, believed to be connected to a scam syndicate operating out of Phnom Penh.