Background and Arrest
A Russian man, suspected of being involved in a phone scam gang based in Cambodia, has been arrested on Koh Samui, an island in Thailand. The scam is linked to family-debt murders in Samut Prakan. The suspect, Daniil Aldunenkov, 31, was taken into custody at the Panorama Hotel in Koh Samui district on September 4, 2023.
Samut Prakan Court issued a warrant for Aldunenkov’s arrest on August 31, 2023. A Provincial Police Region 8 team, led by Pol Maj Kitti Daengchai, apprehended him while he was sitting in front of his room with a relative. Aldunenkov was then taken to Samut Prakan and handed over to Bang Kaew police for legal action.
Charges and Allegations
Aldunenkov is charged with fraud, uploading false or distorted information into a computer system causing damage to others, and allowing people to use his bank accounts and electronic cards for fraudulent purposes. He is believed to be involved in the operation of the phone scam gang based in Cambodia.
Connection to Family-Debt Murders
The gang’s fraudulent activities are reportedly the cause of a tragic incident in which Sanit Dokmai, 41, killed his wife Wipaporn Racha, 44, and their sons, aged 9 and 13, at their home in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, on August 28. Sanit attempted to commit suicide after the murders, but survived with self-inflicted injuries to his throat and wrist. He is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Wipaporn had been trying to help her husband clear a debt using an online loan app and was cheated out of 1.7 million baht. The distraught husband, fearing the loss of his house, murdered his family and attempted suicide. Police investigators obtained arrest warrants for scammers linked to the online fraud.
Ongoing Investigation
Deputy police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn stated that police have court warrants to arrest 11 suspects who opened bank accounts for use by the fraudsters. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to bring all those involved to justice.
