BANGKOK, THAILAND — Authorities in Thailand have apprehended Pedro M., a 39-year-old Portuguese national, for his alleged role in a massive cryptocurrency and credit card fraud scheme worth over $580 million (€500 million).
Pedro was arrested at a luxury shopping mall in Bangkok following a tip from a Portuguese journalist who spotted him during a vacation. Thai police confirmed his identity through facial recognition and biometric data, deploying more than 10 plainclothes officers to execute the arrest.
Born in Lisbon, Pedro had been living illegally in Thailand since 2023 after overstaying his visa and failing to register his address. Despite being internationally wanted, he allegedly continued orchestrating fraudulent crypto schemes in Bangkok, defrauding investors of more than 1 million baht (approx. $30,800) locally.
Interpol links Pedro to large-scale crypto and credit card fraud operations across Portugal, Europe, the Philippines, and Thailand. Portuguese authorities had been tracking his movements for months before his capture.
The arrest highlights Thailand’s growing crackdown on crypto-related financial crimes. In recent months, the country has detained other suspects linked to multi-million dollar scams, emphasizing its role as both a digital asset hub and a stronghold for crypto enforcement in Southeast Asia.
