CHIANG MAI: Two South Korean nationals, one wanted in his homeland for golf course investment fraud, were arrested in Chiang Mai during a police crackdown on visa offenders.
The fraud suspect, Kim Sun Yong, 58, was apprehended at a house in tambon Khun Khong in Hang Dong district. Lim Yong Hak, 56, was detained at Phetcha-em dormitory in Muang district, having overstayed his visa by 13 years, Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, acting chief of the Immigration Bureau, told reporters on Tuesday night.
Mr Kim's arrest followed information from South Korean authorities that a fraud suspect had fled to Thailand. He allegedly swindled his compatriots out of 170 million won (about 5 million baht) in 2007. They believed they were investing in the construction of a golf course in South Korea. He fled after receiving the money.
Pol Maj Surachate said the fraud suspect had entered the country via Nong Khai immigration checkpoint and later notified authorities he was residing in Chon Buri. He changed his address several times before being caught in Chiang Mai.
The second suspect, Mr Lim, had overstayed his visa by 13 years after entering the country through Chiang Rai immigration checkpoint.
The two men would be deported back to South Korea, Pol Maj Gen Surachate said.
