BANGKOK – C. L., a Portuguese national implicated in nearly 19 billion baht worth of international cryptocurrency and credit card fraud, was apprehended by Thai police in a central Bangkok shopping mall on October 3. The arrest concludes an extensive two-year global search for the fugitive, Matichon reported.

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The operation was led by Police Lieutenant General Phanumart Boonyalak, following a tip-off from international journalists regarding C. L.’s presence in Thailand. This sighting was the first confirmed appearance of the notorious scammer in two years. Utilizing biometric technology, authorities positively identified the 39-year-old from Lisbon.

C. L. initially entered Thailand as a tourist in 2023 and is alleged to have swiftly orchestrated a Bitcoin fraud scheme exceeding one million baht in Bangkok. Although a local arrest warrant was initially issued, it was later withdrawn, allowing C. L. to evade capture by disappearing into southern Thailand and bypassing immigration systems for nearly two years.

A Portuguese fugitive, wanted in several European and Asian countries, including Thailand, for allegedly orchestrating cryptocurrency and credit card fraud worth about 19 billion baht, was arrested by Thai police at a luxury shopping mall in Bangkok on Thursday.

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The breakthrough came on October 2, when a Portuguese tourist recognized C. L. in a downtown area and alerted authorities. An examination of CCTV footage tracked him to a prominent department store on Rama I Road. More than ten plainclothes officers conducted a discreet search of the mall, locating the suspect while he was engaged in a tense telephone call. An inspection of his passport revealed an expired visa dating back to 2023.

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Coordination with Interpol uncovered C. L.’s extensive criminal history in Portugal and across Europe. After fleeing his home country, he had relocated to the Philippines before entering Thailand. His sophisticated fraudulent operations, which included crypto investment scams and credit card fraud, are reported to have amassed approximately 500 million euros in Swiss bank accounts. Following the completion of legal proceedings in Thailand, C. L. now faces deportation to Portugal.

-Thailand News (TN)