Authorities from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) apprehended a Russian citizen at a luxury apartment in Pattaya on April 4, suspecting his involvement in illicit trading activities connected to the unfortunate suicide of a Thai woman.
Russian man arrested for illegally running crypto exchange on Koh Phangan
The individual, identified as 40-year-old Alexey Vegman, was taken into custody on charges related to unlawful trading. Vegman, denying any wrongdoing, is currently undergoing interrogation at the ECD headquarters.
During the operation, law enforcement officers conducted searches at Vegman’s penthouse and two other nearby residences, seizing various items related to the illegal activities. Among the confiscated items were seven laptops, three mobile phones, six electronic cards, 14 bank accounts, four chequebooks, and nine secure pass devices used for generating one-time passwords (OTPs) for online financial systems.
Vegman’s arrest came following a complaint filed by the relatives of a Thai woman named Nawaporn, who tragically took her own life after investing in Forex trading through an intermediary.
Nawaporn, enticing others to join her in investments, accumulated over 20 million baht. However, losses incurred left her unable to repay investors, leading to her suicide.
Russian man arrested in Pattaya for alleged illegal trade, sparking investigation. https://t.co/IbbEERKhFw pic.twitter.com/lRfG7pajyS
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The intermediary Nawaporn dealt with was engaged in illegal trading, allegedly with Vegman’s involvement. Authorities suspect Vegman did not act alone and are actively pursuing other potential suspects.
Investigations revealed that this illicit operation had been ongoing for about three years, accumulating funds exceeding 100 billion baht within its network.
In another development, law enforcement arrested three Russian men and a Thai woman in Phuket for operating an unlicensed restaurant. The scheme involved one Russian using the Thai woman as a front to secure the restaurant’s operating license, while another Russian held shares, and the third managed financial affairs.
Phuket Authorities Raid 17 Companies Suspected of Russian Ownership Using Thai Nominees
Moreover, Thai authorities are searching for a Russian woman suspected of colluding with two Thai women to establish fake enterprises, aiding foreign nationals with visas, work permits, and business licenses illegally. The Russian woman is also believed to be involved in money laundering activities.
-Thailand News (TN)
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