Thai Police Raid Pattaya Villa, Arrest 12 Chinese Nationals for Illegal Online Loan Operation
Thai police raided a luxury villa in Pattaya on February 7, arresting 12 Chinese nationals for allegedly operating an illegal online loan syndicate targeting Chinese customers.
The high-end pool villa, spanning over one rai, housed a two-story main building and two smaller structures. Authorities seized 10 computers, 61 mobile phones, passports, electronic bank cards, and cash during the raid.
Illegal Loan Operation
The suspects, 11 men and one woman, allegedly provided high-interest loans via WeChat, offering amounts between 2,000 to 3,000 yuan (10,000-15,000 baht) at over 30% interest. Employees reportedly earned 15,000 to 20,000 baht per month, plus commissions.
Investigations revealed that most of the suspects entered Thailand on tourist and student visas since August 2024, with two overstaying. One suspect claimed they had never met their employer, who rented the villa through an agency for 150,000 baht per month.
Previous Operations and Investigation
Before relocating to Thailand, the group reportedly operated in Dubai for over five years, moving due to rising living costs. Thai authorities, however, uncovered their illegal activities.
The arrested individuals face charges for working without a permit, while police continue investigating to track down the operation’s masterminds.
