Russian fugitive wanted by Interpol for 'multimillion-dollar fraud case' arrested in luxury Thai villa
A Russian fugitive wanted by Interpol for a multimillion-dollar fraud case was arrested at a luxury villa in Thailand.
The suspect, identified only as Igor, allegedly forged company documents and siphoned off more than 150 million baht from companies.
He was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice as he and his accomplices allegedly fabricated production and logistics records to sell goods that never existed.
Immigration authorities raided his luxury villa on the holiday island of Phuket following coordination with Russian authorities.
They surveilled the villa until Igor emerged at the gate.
Footage shows officers storming the sprawling upmarket property, where Igor was detained at the entrance.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthimon Sroiphuraya, who led the arrest, said Igor entered Thailand through Phuket International Airport on March 7, with a visa extension until June 4. He was charged locally for overstaying in Thailand for nine days.
He said: 'We handed him over to the inquiry officer for further legal action.
‘After the legal procedures in Thailand are concluded, he will be deported to Russia in accordance with the immigration process.'
In early 2025, Igor worked with accomplices to forge documents and fraudulently obtain money from a company.
The group fabricated documents relating to the manufacture of products that were never actually produced, receiving funds from the company and causing losses exceeding 70 million baht.
In 2024, Igor and his accomplices also forged procurement and logistics records to obtain additional funds from the company, resulting in damages of more than 80 million baht.
Phuket has seen a surge of Russians and Ukrainians relocating or staying long-term to escape conscription, sanctions, and instability, with Russians becoming one of the island's largest tourist and expat groups.
