Mon couple flees after defrauding 300 Myanmar workers of 3 million baht

By Admin 23 Apr 2026

DMG Newsroom

23 April 2026, Koh Samui, Thailand

A Mon broker couple has reportedly fled after defrauding more than 300 Myanmar migrant workers of over 3 million Thai baht on Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand, under the pretext of renewing passports.

The suspects have been identified as Ko Khaing Myo Kyaw, in his 40s, and his wife Daw San San Lwin. They are originally from Karuppi Village in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State.

The couple operated as agents for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, providing services for Pink Cards, Work Permits, Certificates of Identity, passports, and other labor related documentation.

Victims reported that the couple collected money from over 300 workers for passport renewals before going into hiding.

"We entrusted them with our money and passports for the renewal process, but they ran away with everything. They even pawned some of our passports. We now have to pay 10,000 baht per book just to get them back," a victim told DMG.

Surat Thani Province is home to many Myanmar migrants, including Bamar, Mon, Arakanese, and Dawei people. The victims of this fraud include individuals from various ethnic groups.

Workers began entrusting their passports to the couple for renewal in March 2026, but the suspects have since become unreachable.

"I paid 11,500 baht per passport for the renewal. They even pawned workers' motorcycles. In a single construction site alone, over 70 people were defrauded, and there are many more victims from other areas," another victim said.

Believing the couple may have fled back to Myanmar, victims have filed complaints at police stations in Thanbyuzayat and Paung townships in Mon State.

"We are in a very difficult position now. They pawned all our passports, so we have no documentation left. Without documents, we are afraid to go to the Thai police. We reported it to the police stations in Thanbyuzayat and Paung, but they are not taking much action because there is no money involved for them," said an Arakanese man who was among those defrauded.

Victims are now calling for public assistance to help locate and apprehend the couple.

This incident follows a similar case a few days ago in Nakhon Pathom near Bangkok, where an Arakanese broker couple fled after defrauding Arakanese migrant workers of over 7 million baht intended for money transfers to Arakan State and mainland Myanmar.

There are millions of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, including many from Arakan State, who frequently fall victim to fraud by employment brokers and money transfer agents.