Bangkok Post - Russian wanted over Phuket crypto heist arrested hiding in car on Koh Samui

Russian wanted over Phuket crypto heist arrested hiding in car on Koh Samui

SURAT THANI - Thai police have arrested a 26-year-old Russian man wanted in connection with a violent robbery in Phuket, after finding him hiding in the back seat of a car on Koh Samui.

The suspect, identified only as Dmitrii, was detained on Thursday at Nathon Pier following a joint operation led by Pol Col Panya Niratimanon, Superintendent of Koh Samui Police Station. He was discovered curled up in the rear of a blue Nissan sedan driven by another Russian national, Stolbov Gleb, 25, after arriving by ferry from Don Sak.

The arrest followed coordination with Chalong Police in Phuket, who confirmed that Mr Dmitrii was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Phuket Provincial Court on Wednesday for his alleged role in a robbery targeting a fellow Russian. He was subsequently taken to Koh Samui Police Station for questioning, assisted by an interpreter, but refused to give a statement. He will be transferred to Chalong Police Station in Phuket for further legal proceedings.

According to investigators, Mr Dmitrii allegedly contacted the victim, a 28-year-old Russian man, and lured him to a villa in Chalong on Tuesday under the pretext of discussing an investment opportunity. Instead, the victim was confronted by four foreign men, believed to be Russian, who physically assaulted him, detained him inside the property and forced him to transfer cryptocurrency and funds amounting to 35,000 USDT — equivalent to approximately 1.2 million baht.

The assailants released the victim after the money was transferred. He later filed a complaint with Chalong Police.

Immigration officers revealed that the four other suspects are believed to have already left Thailand, while Mr Dmitrii attempted to evade capture by fleeing to Koh Samui, where he was eventually arrested.

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