Three armed robbers allegedly stormed a luxury home in Nong Prue, Pattaya, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, stealing cash and Rolex watches before forcing a foreign victim to transfer cryptocurrency worth around US$820,000.
Police say the total value of the stolen assets and other property is approaching 30 million baht.
Armed robbers break into luxury home
The dramatic robbery happened at around 3:30am on 6 October 2026 at a luxury housing development in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chonburi.
According to the initial police investigation, three suspects used a ladder to climb into the property before making their way to the victim’s bedroom.
The suspects allegedly kicked down the bedroom door and threatened the victim with firearms.
They then forced the victim to hand over valuables and open a safe.
Police said the robbers escaped with approximately 150,000 baht in cash and three Rolex watches.
However, the biggest loss involved cryptocurrency.
Victim allegedly forced to transfer $820,000 in cryptocurrency
Police say the suspects forced the victim to transfer digital assets from a cryptocurrency wallet to another wallet controlled by the gang.
The cryptocurrency was subsequently sold, with its value estimated at approximately US$820,000, equivalent to around 27 million baht.
Combined with the stolen cash, Rolex watches and other assets, the preliminary loss is estimated at almost 30 million baht.
The victim eventually managed to escape the property and reported the robbery to officers at Nong Prue Police Station.
Police identify three suspects
Investigators have already developed leads involving three suspects.
Initial information suggests the suspects could be Chinese nationals, although police have stressed that their identities and nationalities have not yet been confirmed.
Officers are continuing to verify the suspects’ identities and are gathering additional evidence from the victim and the crime scene.
Police have also contacted Thailand’s Immigration Bureau to examine travel records and determine whether the suspects have recently entered or left the country.
Forensic officers have examined the property and collected evidence to assist the investigation.
Police trace stolen cryptocurrency
Police Region 2 is now working to trace the movement of the stolen digital assets.
Investigators are examining the cryptocurrency transfers and subsequent transactions in an effort to identify the people behind the robbery and recover the stolen funds.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Wasan Techaukkarasem, Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, said the investigation had already made significant progress despite the robbery occurring only hours earlier.
Police are continuing to gather evidence with the aim of locating all three suspects and bringing them to justice.
The investigation remains ongoing.
