Foreign Gang Arrested in Phuket Crypto Robbery Worth $250K

Thai authorities arrested four foreign nationals in connection with a Phuket crypto robbery, allegedly forcing a Ukrainian tourist to transfer $250,000 in cryptocurrency after luring him to a meeting.

Phuket’s Kamala Police, with support from Tourist Police, apprehended the suspects — Armenian national Arman, 21; Ukrainian nationals Alfred, 18, and Ruslan, 22; and Russian national Mraz, 21 — at a hotel in Phang Nga Province on November 11. The arrests followed a warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court for armed robbery, unlawful detention, and coercion.

The incident reportedly took place on November 8 when the victim, a 23-year-old Ukrainian named Viacheslav, was invited by a friend, Alfred, to a room. Once inside, he was ambushed by two masked men who attacked him, put him in a chokehold, and restrained him with ropes and cable ties. The perpetrators allegedly threatened to break his fingers unless he transferred $500,000 in cryptocurrency. Following negotiations, they lowered their demand to $250,000.

After the transfer, the suspects tied Viacheslav to a bed, warning him not to report the incident before fleeing with additional belongings from the room. Viacheslav later managed to escape, obtained photographic evidence from the hotel reception, and reported the incident to the police.

The suspects in the Phuket crypto robbery are now in custody at the Kamala Police Station, where they face multiple charges, including armed robbery, unlawful detention, and coercion. Thai authorities continue their investigation, with officials emphasizing their commitment to protecting tourists and ensuring that those involved in organized crime face strict penalties.

This case shares a troubling pattern with a similar incident involving a Toronto-based cryptocurrency CEO. Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi Technologies, endured a kidnapping ordeal in Toronto, where he was reportedly abducted during rush hour and held for a $1 million ransom. Toronto police reported that suspects forced Skurka into a vehicle, later releasing him unharmed after the ransom was paid.

This incident, alongside the Phuket robbery, highlights the growing security threats faced by high-profile individuals in the crypto industry, where significant wealth in digital assets can make them targets for organized criminal activity.

Vanessa has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Daily is an official media and publication of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

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