Chinese Crime Boss Arrested in Pattaya for Money Laundering
A 30-year-old Chinese national was arrested in Pattaya for leading an international money laundering network that cycled at least 8.8 million baht in fraud proceeds through Thai bank accounts. Police apprehended Zhang at a condominium after
On August 14, Deputy Commander Pathanasak Bupphasuwon ordered officers including Deputy Commander Netiwit Thanasit and Ratchaa Makmani to coordinate with Chonburi provincial police to apprehend Zhang, a 30-year-old Chinese national, at a condominium in Pattaya's Nong Prua subdistrict, Bang Lamung district. Zhang was wanted by Chinese authorities on fraud and money laundering charges, and in Thailand for overstaying his visa.
The arrest followed an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Division, the Center for Combating Transnational Crime and Human Trafficking, and the Anti-Online Fraud Center. Zhang was identified as a ringleader who recruited and directed a network to collect ATM cards and bank accounts for cash withdrawals and transfer of fraud proceeds to obscure financial trails and evade arrest.
Investigation revealed that between 2566 and 2567, Zhang traveled to Thailand to command online scam gangs using the country as an operational base. He rotated team members through personal bank accounts in his network to receive stolen funds, then ordered subordinates to withdraw large sums for money laundering. Total fund circulation reached approximately 18 million Chinese yuan, or about 8.8 million baht in damages.
When Zhang learned Chinese authorities had issued a warrant against him, he fled through Japan before illegally sneaking back into Thailand in March 2568 to hide. Police tracked him to Pattaya and coordinated with Chonburi provincial police to apprehend him at the condominium.
Under interrogation, Zhang confessed to using Thailand as a base for laundering scam proceeds and hiding from Chinese authorities. Officials are pushing for his extradition to face charges in China.
