BANGKOK — A 26-year-old Filipino student has been arrested in Thailand for masterminding a fraud operation that targeted multiple high-end hotels across Bangkok, causing financial losses estimated in the hundreds of thousands of baht.
The suspect, using the alias Leonardo Hernandez, was apprehended by Thai Immigration Police on April 25 near his university residence in Pathum Thani, after a series of complaints from affected hotels.
Authorities revealed that Hernandez devised a complex scam: he would book multi-night stays at luxury hotels using a credit card and arrange for two airport limousine pickups—one for himself and another for his supposed father. Though already residing in Thailand, he would travel to the airport via public transport to board the limousine, arriving at the hotel and claiming his passport and funds were with his father.
Following typical procedures, hotel staff allowed him to check in. Once inside, Hernandez indulged in room service, fine dining, and exclusive amenities, often inviting friends to join him. Suspicion arose only when the second limousine arrived with no additional guest. By then, Hernandez had already fled.
Several prestigious hotels across the Chao Phraya River area, central business district, and Chidlom were victimized. The breakthrough came when police traced the suspect to a university in Pathum Thani, confirming he was not a tourist.
Immigration Police, led by Commissioner Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyalak, arrested Hernandez and charged him with fraud by deceit, false representation, and illegal acquisition of services. He is now in custody as authorities assess the total financial damage.
