PATTAYA, Thailand – On October 4th, 2025, Banglamung police arrested a 43-year-old Iranian man, identified as Mr. Noureddin Morteza Imanai, for allegedly impersonating a police officer and extorting money from two Indian tourists. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred on October 1st at around 1:00 PM near Sukhumvit Road.
The victims, Mr. Gaganddeep Singh, 32, and Mr. Prabhdeep Singh, 20, reported the crime to Pol. Lt. Apinan Sritongrungthip, deputy investigation officer at Banglamung Police Station. They stated that two men wearing full-face helmets approached them, claiming to be police officers. The suspects demanded to inspect their passports and then took $300 USD, or 10,000 Baht, from them for various so-called fines.
Following the report, Pol. Lt. Col. Kornphong Sukwisit, deputy superintendent of Banglamung Police, ordered Pol. Maj. Wutthipong Kasa, head of the investigation unit, and a team of detectives to track down the culprits. CCTV footage revealed that the suspects used a rented motorcycle from Soi Naklua 16. After the crime, they exchanged the stolen dollars at a money exchange shop near Phratamnak Hill and returned the motorcycle to the rental shop.
On October 4th, police received information that one suspect was an Iranian national residing in Soi Yensabai in South Pattaya. Officers conducted a raid and found Mr. Noureddin at a Middle Eastern restaurant in the area, matching the description from the CCTV footage. He was detained and brought to Banglamung Police Station for questioning.
During interrogation, Mr. Noureddin admitted to being with an unidentified friend on the day of the incident but claimed his friend committed the extortion and he knew nothing about what was going to happen and wasn’t part of the plan. However, police remain skeptical, as CCTV footage clearly showed Mr. Noureddin exchanging the stolen money. Additionally, authorities discovered that his passport had expired 39 days prior.
Mr. Noureddin has been handed over to the investigation team for further legal proceedings. Police are continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend the additional suspect involved in the crime.
