According to Thai immigration police, the case originated when two Chinese nationals filed a complaint at Mae Sai Police Station in Chiang Rai on April 30, 2025. They alleged that Tianwei had defrauded them during a Bitcoin transaction meeting on April 23, convincing them to transfer 200 million baht ($6.15 million) worth of Bitcoin to his digital wallet—only to receive no returns.
Authorities Tighten Crypto Regulations Following Arrest
Following the complaint, the Chiang Rai Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant for Tianwei on May 16, 2025. Thai authorities tracked his movements and received intelligence that he was planning to flee the country on Lion Air flight SL100. At 6:00 a.m. on June 12, immigration officers intercepted him at the international departure terminal, reported Coinotag.com.
Speaking about the arrest, Sergeant Suwaphan Utsaha, commander of the Don Mueang Immigration checkpoint, stated, “This operation highlights our commitment to tackling financial crimes, especially those involving cryptocurrency fraud.”
Regional Crackdown on Crypto-Related Crimes Intensifies
Tianwei’s arrest is part of a broader effort by Southeast Asian authorities to combat crypto-related fraud and illicit financial activities. Thailand, along with Singapore and Malaysia, has been tightening regulations on digital asset transactions to prevent money laundering and fraud.
Experts believe that this case could set a precedent for stricter enforcement in the region. John Lee, a blockchain security analyst, commented, “As cryptocurrency adoption grows, so do financial crimes. Governments must act swiftly to regulate and monitor transactions.”
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