Female Officer Poses As Hotel Maid To Help Arrest French Fugitive Wanted By Interpol In Phuket
Thai immigration officers successfully arrested a French fugitive wanted under an Interpol Red Notice after a female officer disguised herself as a hotel maid during an undercover operation in Phuket.
The suspect, identified as a 29-year-old French national, was apprehended at a hotel in Patong on 3 July following an international manhunt involving authorities from Luxembourg, Belgium and Thailand.
According to Thai immigration officials, the operation was launched after the Belgian Embassy in Thailand requested assistance in locating the man, who is wanted by authorities in Luxembourg for a range of serious offences.
The charges reportedly include involvement in a criminal organisation, money laundering, kidnapping, unlawful detention, hostage-taking, armed robbery, extortion and blackmail.
Undercover Officer Helped Confirm Suspect’s Identity
Investigators believed the suspect had fled Luxembourg and travelled to Thailand, leading to the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice.
Authorities initially tracked the man to a hotel in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district before discovering that he had relocated to Phuket.
To avoid alerting the suspect, a female immigration officer posed as a hotel maid and carried out cleaning duties near the room where he was staying.
The undercover operation allowed officers to discreetly verify the man’s identity without raising suspicion.
Once his identity had been confirmed, immigration officers moved in and arrested him as he exited his hotel room.
Visa Revoked Following Arrest
Thai authorities said the French national’s visa was immediately revoked following his arrest.
He is currently being held by immigration officials while awaiting deportation proceedings and further legal action in Luxembourg.
The case is the latest in a series of operations targeting foreign fugitives hiding in Thailand.
Earlier this week, immigration officers in Bangkok arrested a South Korean national wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for alleged links to an international drug trafficking network.
In another recent case, a Finnish national was detained over allegations involving fraud, tax evasion and false accounting offences that reportedly caused losses exceeding 4 million baht.
Thailand Continues Crackdown On International Fugitives
Thai authorities have intensified efforts to locate and arrest foreign suspects wanted overseas, particularly those subject to Interpol notices.
Earlier this year, officials arrested a South Korean man accused of large-scale fraud after allegedly overstaying his visa for more than nine months. Investigators claimed the suspect caused losses amounting to more than 962 million won, equivalent to roughly S$950,000.
In April, two Kyrgyz nationals wanted in connection with serious violent crimes, including kidnapping and murder, were also arrested at a hotel in Phuket following coordination with Interpol.
The latest arrest highlights ongoing cooperation between Thai law enforcement agencies and international authorities in tracking down fugitives attempting to evade justice by crossing borders.
Officials have reiterated that Thailand will continue working closely with international partners to identify and apprehend suspects wanted for serious crimes abroad.