Chinese suspect arrested in Thailand over 4 billion baht crypto scam

2026-02-19 - 05:23

SAMUT PRAKAN — 19 February 2026, Thai immigration police have arrested a Chinese national accused of orchestrating a large-scale cryptocurrency investment scam that allegedly defrauded victims of $128 million, about 4 billion baht. The suspect, identified as Tuan Jianlei, also known as “Boss Tuan,” was apprehended at a luxury housing estate in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province, after authorities tracked his movements for about one month, police said. The suspect had been in hiding since 2024 before being tracked down and apprehended in Bang Phli district According to immigration officials, Tuan is wanted by Chinese authorities for allegedly creating a fraudulent digital asset trading platform called BHE Exchange in 2024. Investigators said the platform issued a fake cryptocurrency and lured investors with promises of high returns, attracting an estimated 20,000 victims. Authorities in China estimate total losses at approximately $128 million, or about 4 billion baht, before the platform was shut down and the suspect fled overseas. Thai police said Tuan entered Thailand later in 2024 and frequently changed residences in an effort to evade arrest. Immigration officers located him through surveillance and intelligence coordination with Chinese authorities. His visa has been revoked, and he is being detained pending deportation to China to face fraud charges. Police said the arrest reflects ongoing cooperation between Thai and Chinese law enforcement agencies in tackling transnational cybercrime and investment fraud.