Chinese man posing as a home buyer lured a Pattaya real estate agent, bound her with duct tape, forced a WeChat transfer and stole her phone before fleeing after a car crash. Court issues arrest warrant as police launch a multi-agency manhunt amid Chinese scam arrests.
A terrifying incident at a Pattaya housing estate on Sunday has triggered an intensive police investigation and manhunt. A Chinese man, identified as 30-year-old Gong Gaopeng, allegedly posed as a house buyer before forcing his victim, Ms. Yang Wang, 25, to transfer ฿31,000 via WeChat and stealing her iPhone. He bound Ms. Wang, also known as “Wendy,” with duct tape and appeared to be attempting a kidnapping before she resisted and the car crashed. The suspect fled the scene, and Ms. Wang was later rescued by police.
A violent assault on Chinese women working as property sales representatives in Pattaya has intensified official concern about cross-border crime. Specifically, the case involves the abduction, binding and robbery of a Chinese real estate agent.
As a result, police have launched a multi-agency manhunt. Meanwhile, the incident follows several recent arrests of Chinese nationals for fraud in Chonburi and Pattaya.
According to police, an arrest warrant has been issued for a Chinese man accused of the crime. Notably, the suspect allegedly posed as a home buyer. He then lured the victim to a housing estate. There, he restrained and robbed her. Since the attack, the victim has remained traumatised.
Court issues arrest warrant for Chinese suspect Gong Gaopeng on robbery and detention charges
The Pattaya Provincial Court approved the arrest warrant earlier this week. In particular, the warrant names Mr. Gong Gaopeng, aged 30, a Chinese national. Furthermore, the warrant carries number 15/2569. The charges include robbery using force or threats, unlawful detention, and committing the offence at night while armed.
According to investigators, the victim is Ms. Yang Wang, aged 35. She is a Chinese national working as a real estate agent in Pattaya. At the time, she was operating as a property sales representative for Chinese clients.
Police said Gong first contacted Ms. Yang about purchasing a house valued at ฿3 million. Initially, their communication began on January 8. They spoke through a company application used for property transactions. At first, nothing appeared suspicious.
Subsequently, the two arranged to meet in person. Their first meeting occurred near a major shopping mall on Pattaya Second Road. This meeting took place on Saturday, January 10. According to police, Gong insisted on viewing the property at night.
Suspect contacts agent about ฿3 million home and insists on night viewing after initial meeting
Meanwhile, the victim later expressed concerns about the timing. However, she agreed to proceed. According to a colleague, the suspect refused daytime viewings. He claimed he was travelling.
On the night of the incident, Ms. Yang drove her own Mercedes-Benz to pick up Gong. The pickup occurred around 7.37 p.m. on Sukhumvit Pattaya 59 Road. From there, she drove him to a housing estate in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district.
After arriving, Gong inspected the house. At that point, Ms. Yang believed the transaction was legitimate. He even decided to buy the property, according to her police statement.
However, as she drove out of the estate, the situation changed. According to police, Gong was seated in the back seat. Suddenly, he leaned forward. He then threatened her with a pair of scissors. The scissors were pressed against her waist.
Buyer turned attacker threatened agent with scissors in car moments after leaving the Pattaya house
Following this, Gong ordered Ms. Yang to drive deeper into the estate. Specifically, he directed her to the rear of the housing complex. There, police say he bound her body with adhesive tape.
Investigators said the victim was wrapped with duct tape from head to toe. She was also blindfolded. As a result, she was unable to resist or escape.
Next, Gong seized her mobile phone. He then forced her to surrender her password. Using the phone, he accessed her WeChat account. He subsequently transferred 6,996 yuan to his own account. The amount equals approximately ฿31,000.
In addition, Gong stole the victim’s Huawei mobile phone. Police valued the device at about 20,000 baht. Altogether, the total loss exceeded ฿50,000.
Victim bound head to toe and forced to transfer 6,996 yuan as phone theft pushes losses past ฿50,000
After taking the valuables, Gong attempted to steal the victim’s car. According to police, he moved into the driver’s seat. At that moment, an unexpected interruption occurred.
Meanwhile, a bystander approached the vehicle. The person warned that the car could not be parked in that location. This intervention startled the suspect.
As a result, confusion followed. Ms. Yang struggled for control of the steering wheel. Despite being bound, she resisted. Consequently, the car veered off the road. It then crashed into a wall inside the housing estate.
Police said the Mercedes-Benz sustained heavy damage. Because of the crash, the vehicle was no longer operable. At that point, Gong abandoned the car.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Ms. Yang escaped. Despite being bound with tape, she managed to exit the vehicle. She ran to the bystander and sought help.
Bound agent escapes after car crash as startled suspect abandons damaged Mercedes and flees scene
Meanwhile, Gong fled the scene on foot. He disappeared into the surrounding area. Police broadcast an alert with his description shortly afterwards. However, initial searches failed to locate him.
Officers were called to the Zensiri housing estate shortly after 1 a.m. on Monday. Upon arrival, they found the crashed Mercedes-Benz. Inside, they discovered Ms. Yang lying on the rear floor.
Police reported that she was blindfolded and wrapped in adhesive tape. She was then transported for medical treatment and questioning. Physical injuries were documented. Psychological trauma was also noted.
According to police records, a background check was conducted on the suspect. Gong Gaopeng entered Thailand on December 23, 2016. He arrived on a 60-day tourist visa. At entry, he reported his residence in the Yannawa area of Sathorn district, Bangkok.
Police find taped victim in crashed car and trace suspect Gong Gaopeng’s visa entry and Bangkok address
At noon on January 12, police intensified the investigation. Pol. Col. Natthapol Phongsookskul, Superintendent of Nong Prue Police Station, convened a meeting. The session included investigators from multiple agencies.
Specifically, officers from the Chonburi Provincial Investigation team attended. Immigration Police investigators also participated. Together, they reviewed CCTV footage. They also mapped possible escape routes used by the suspect.
Meanwhile, investigators traced communication records between the suspect and the victim. Financial transfers linked to the WeChat transaction were also examined. Police said these efforts are ongoing.
A reporter later spoke with Ms. Dear, a 32-year-old colleague of the victim. Ms. Dear confirmed that Ms. Yang has worked in Thailand since 2024. She said the victim remains fearful. Physical scars from the assault are still visible.
Victim’s colleague confirms lingering trauma as observers link case to a pattern of Chinese criminality
According to Ms. Dear, the victim initially trusted the suspect. However, doubts emerged when he avoided daytime meetings. Despite this, the appointment proceeded.
Police said the case remains under active investigation. Meanwhile, the incident comes amid recent arrests of Chinese scammers in Chonburi and Pattaya. Authorities have not announced any formal linkage. However, the investigations continue.
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Further updates will be released as the manhunt progresses. This story and others related to Chinese international scammers are raising further questions about Thailand’s visa-free agreement with China. This is particularly significant, as such criminal activities have played a key role in undermining confidence in Thailand as a tourist destination in China.
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Further reading:
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High powered, secretive meeting chaired by PM agrees robust action against Cambodian networks
Thailand and Cambodia face danger from ‘Dragon Head’ the Chinese mafia leader behind the scams
Cyber police and Money Laundering agency seek UK and US co-operation targeting Cambodian networks
United States, South Korea and United Kingdom act against Cambodian scam industry with Thai tie-ins
Ben Smith affair & allegations of links to Cambodian scam centres continues to rage in parliament
