Police in Thailand have broken up a Chinese criminal group accused of orchestrating a staged kidnapping involving a 19-year-old woman, in a scheme designed to extort ransom money from her father.
Four suspects were taken into custody, including the woman’s boyfriend, who is also wanted by authorities in China in connection with an online fraud case.
The arrests followed a joint operation by officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) and the Immigration Bureau, who raided a rented property in tambon Bang Kaeo, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, on Wednesday.
According to Pol Maj Gen Phatthanasak Bupphasuwan, commander of the CSD, the four Chinese nationals — three men and one woman — were initially charged with illegal entry after failing to present valid passports or identification documents.
The suspects were identified as You Rongshan, 29; Hu Zhiwei, 26; Hou Xiwen, 26; and Tong, 19.
Authorities revealed that You Rongshan is also the subject of an arrest warrant issued in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, where he is accused of involvement in an online scam network.
The investigation began after the woman’s father lodged a complaint with police in China on March 31. He reported receiving ransom demands accompanied by video clips showing his daughter being assaulted, with the perpetrators claiming she had been abducted and taken to Myanmar via Cambodia.
Fearing for her safety, the father transferred 110,000 yuan — approximately 550,000 baht — to the group.
When his daughter was not released, he realised the situation was a scam. The case quickly gained widespread attention in China.
Through cooperation between Chinese authorities and Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), investigators traced the origin of the videos. A review of the woman’s social media activity indicated the most recent recordings were made in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district.
Police determined that the woman had checked into a hotel in the area between March 28 and April 2, before later travelling to the Samut Prakan residence with a group of Chinese nationals.
Further inquiries revealed that six Chinese individuals had been staying at the property, prompting officers to obtain a search warrant from the Samut Prakan Provincial Court.
During interrogation, You Rongshan admitted he was in a relationship with the woman and had planned the fake kidnapping.
Investigators also confirmed that he appeared in the videos assaulting her. Both later confessed to staging the incident in order to deceive her father into transferring money.
The four suspects have since been handed over to investigators at Bang Kaeo police station for legal proceedings.
Authorities are now preparing to coordinate with Chinese officials to arrange their deportation.
Police added that two additional Chinese nationals found at the property had entered Thailand legally and were not taken into custody.
