Swedish man creates fake Pattaya hotel site to demand payments from guests
A Swedish-Finnish IT specialist has been arrested in Chonburi for creating fake hotel websites to trick guests into paying fake damage claims, defrauding over 35 people of approximately 100,000 baht.
CHONBURI — Thai cyber police have arrested a 42-year-old Swedish-Finnish man for allegedly hacking hotel systems and running a phishing scam that tricked dozens of guests into transferring money for fake damage claims.
At around 14:00 on 29 April 2026, the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), or cyber police, announced the arrest of Mikael Toni Kristian at a residence in Tambon Takhian Tia, Bang Lamung district, Chonburi. Officers seized 25 items of evidence, including computers, hard drives and mobile phones.
Police said the suspect, an IT specialist who has lived with his Thai wife—an employee at a hotel in Pattaya—for over eight years, allegedly used his access knowledge to obtain customer database information.
According to investigators, he then created fake websites and email accounts impersonating the hotel, sending messages to guests claiming they had damaged hotel property and were required to pay compensation. Victims, both Thai and foreign tourists, reportedly transferred money believing the claims were genuine.
Authorities said more than 35 people were affected, with total damages estimated at around 100,000 baht. The hotel later filed a complaint, leading to the investigation and arrest.
Police have urged potential victims to come forward and file complaints with the cyber police, while also advising travellers to verify any suspicious payment requests directly with hotels before transferring money.
