Thai police announced the arrest of an Indonesian citizen who defrauded Americans of $10 million and his extradition to the United States, reports Todayinfo news agency.
The 33-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday at a luxury resort on Phuket Island. Local media and AFP reported this. Police acted with assistance from the FBI.
According to immigration police official Suriya Pungsombat, the FBI reported that the suspect defrauded Americans of approximately $10 million. He also said the suspect arrived in Thailand from Dubai, UAE, on Wednesday.
"The FBI said he committed fraud against Americans totaling about $10 million," said Suriya Pungsombat.
After arrest, the suspect was sent to an immigration detention center in Bangkok, awaiting extradition to the US. In recent years, Southeast Asia has become a hub for cyber fraud operations. Organized criminal groups use casinos, hotels, and fortified compounds for sophisticated online scams.
According to local media, between 2022 and 2026, the suspect contacted victims through dating apps and social media. He hired models, engaged them in relationships, and persuaded them to invest money in fake investment platforms. Many victims have been identified in the US.
According to a 2025 UN report, foreign workers in the UAE are "recruited for fraudulent work in Southeast Asia," indicating Dubai's transformation into a global recruitment center for the cyber fraud industry.
