Two Chinese men were arrested in Pattaya on Thursday for their alleged involvement in a transnational call centre scam network linked to the death of a South Korean student.

Officers arrested two men at a house in a Pattaya.

The first man, identified as Ham, alias Xian, was wanted under by Interpol and by a South Korean court on charges of luring people abroad, coercion and intimidation.

During the raid, the second suspect, Chen, showed signs of drug intoxication. A urine test confirmed crystal methamphetamine use, which he later admitted to taking. He was charged and handed over to Nong Prue police station for further legal action. 

A third Chinese man was in the house along with Mr Ham and Mr Chen, though no offences were found against him. 

The arrests followed intelligence that found Mr Ham had fled to Thailand. He is believed to have played a key role in a transnational fraud network that advertised jobs to lure victims into scam centres.

Upon arrival, victims allegedly had their passports confiscated, were threatened and forced to work. They were also compelled to hand over bank accounts for use as mule accounts.

The scam gang was also accused of using violence and of being involved in the deathof a South Korean university student in a neighbouring country.