# Russian crime investigations in Phuket

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-crime-investigations-in-phuket
> Updated: 2026-07-29T13:48:24.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

In early July, Thai police announced the dismantling of a Russian‑run online fraud network operating in Phuket, signaling an intensified focus on cross‑border cybercrime.

Later in the month, authorities shifted attention to a separate incident, issuing a nationwide manhunt for Vitalii Kobin, a 47‑year‑old Russian national accused of stealing roughly 600,000 baht in foreign currency from a currency‑exchange safe in Phuket’s Wichit district. Police released detailed descriptions of Kobin’s appearance and noted his visa overstay, coordinating efforts among local police, tourist police, and immigration officials.

Together, the two actions illustrate a broader Thai law‑enforcement campaign targeting Russian‑linked criminal activities in the tourist hub of Phuket, moving from dismantling organized online fraud to pursuing an individual suspect in a high‑value robbery.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-29: Thai Police Seek Russian Suspect in Phuket Safe Heist Stolen 600,000 Baht

Thai police hunt 47‑year‑old Russian Vitalii Kobin for a July safe robbery in Phuket that netted about 600,000 baht; an arrest warrant is issued and a nationwide search is underway.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thai-police-seek-russian-suspect-in-phuket-safe-heist-stolen-600000-baht

### 2026-07-07: Thai police dismantle Russian online fraud network in Phuket

Thai police raided three Phuket sites, arrested two Russians and seized over 5 million baht tied to an online fraud laundering network.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thai-police-dismantle-russian-online-fraud-network-in-phuket

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Cite as: Russian crime investigations in Phuket. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-crime-investigations-in-phuket