The suspect, identified only as Igor, was apprehended by officers from Immigration Police Division 6 and Phuket Immigration Bureau on Saturday (June 13) following a joint investigation with Russian authorities and the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police.
Immigration Bureau Commissioner Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalak said the arrest formed part of an ongoing crackdown on foreign fugitives and transnational criminals hiding in Thailand.
According to immigration police, intelligence reports indicated that the Russian national, described as a dangerous fraud suspect, was living in Phuket after entering Thailand earlier this year.
Investigators confirmed that Igor was the subject of Interpol Red Notice No. A-6580/4-2026, issued on Apr 27, 2026, on charges of fraud and document forgery.
Russian authorities allege that the suspect was involved in a criminal network that forged company documents to obtain payments for goods that were never produced.
In one case in early 2025, the group allegedly used forged production documents to defraud a company of more than B70mn.
Investigators also allege that in 2024 the same network falsified procurement and transportation documents to secure additional payments, causing losses of more than B80mn.
The combined damage from the alleged offences exceeds B150mn.
After locating the suspect’s residence, officers conducted surveillance at a luxury villa in Phuket. At about 11am on Saturday, officers observed Igor leaving the property and moved in to make the arrest.
A subsequent check through the Immigration Bureau’s biometric system showed that the suspect entered Thailand through Phuket International Airport on Mar 7, 2026.
He was initially granted permission to stay until May 5 before receiving an extension from Phuket Immigration valid until June 4.
Police found that he had remained in the country after the extension expired and charged him with overstaying his permitted period of stay by nine days.
The suspect was informed of his rights and transferred to investigators for legal proceedings.
Immigration police said that once legal action in Thailand is completed, the suspect will be deported to Russia in accordance with immigration procedures.
The operation was led by officers from Immigration Police Division 6 and Phuket Immigration Bureau under the direction of senior Immigration Bureau commanders overseeing efforts to locate and arrest foreign fugitives residing in Thailand.