Police have arrested a Russian man on Koh Samui, Surat Thani, in connection with a cryptocurrency robbery that occurred in Phuket on August 26.
The 28-year-old Russian victim, Aleksandr, filed a report at Chalong Police Station, stating that he had lost cryptocurrency worth 35,000 USDT (approximately 1.2 million baht) to four thieves believed to be Russian nationals.
According to Aleksandr, 26-year-old Russian Dmitrii Glushko had called him, inviting him to a property on Soi Klum Yang in Chalong, claiming to discuss a potential business opportunity.
Upon arrival, Aleksandr found Glushko absent and was instead confronted by four unknown Russian men. The group attacked and detained him inside the house, forcing him to transfer the cryptocurrency via the Tronscan app before releasing him.
Police investigations revealed that the four suspects had already left Thailand separately. However, Glushko remained in the country and is suspected of acting as a decoy, luring the victim into the robbery.
Authorities kept Glushko under surveillance after receiving a tip that he intended to flee and hide on Koh Samui. Investigators discovered that he had asked another Russian, Stolbov Gleb, to pick him up in Phuket and travel to a pier in Surat Thani to catch a ferry to Koh Samui.
Glushko concealed himself inside a blue Nissan sedan while Gleb purchased the ferry tickets. Police tracked their movements and arrested both men upon their arrival on Koh Samui.
Glushko was initially taken to Koh Samui Police Station for questioning but refused to cooperate. He was later transferred to Chalong Police Station, which is handling the case, for further legal proceedings.
The Russian national faces charges under Section 340 of the Criminal Code for conspiring with more than three people to commit robbery. The offense carries a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years and a fine ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 baht.
