Chinese Tourist Arrested in Pattaya for Pawning Fake Gold Jewelry
Mr. Huanyou allegedly defrauded pawn shops with counterfeit gold.
Tourist Police in Pattaya successfully apprehended a 29-year-old Chinese national, Mr. Huanyou, on December 25, 2024, after he was accused of pawning counterfeit gold jewelry at several pawn shops in the area. The arrest took place on Pattaya Third Road in the Nongprue subdistrict of Banglamung district, Chonburi province.
During the arrest, authorities recovered significant evidence, including a fake gold bracelet weighing 52.8 grams, a pawn ticket from one of Pattaya’s pawn shops, and 80,000 Thai baht in cash. The suspect, who reportedly collapsed upon his arrest, required assistance to stand. The case began when multiple pawn shop operators filed complaints, having realized that the items they accepted were fake gold, though they initially appeared genuine.
Upon further investigation, Tourist Police discovered that Mr. Huanyou had pawned a counterfeit gold bracelet weighing 3.5 baht at a major Pattaya pawn shop. Surveillance was set up, and the suspect was arrested as he was leaving the shop, where he had just completed the fraudulent transaction.
Mr. Huanyou has confessed to the crime and was transferred to Pattaya City Police Station, where he faces charges of fraud. He could face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both. The investigation continues to determine how many pawn shops were targeted in this fraudulent scheme.