Russian Man Arrested for Sticking Illegal Drug QR Codes in Phuket
A Russian man has been arrested after being caught applying QR code stickers that advertised illegal drugs on street poles in Phuket. The suspect, who had fled to Koh Samui, was eventually apprehended by local authorities.
According to the reports, the man was paid in Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency, earning approximately $1 for each sticker he placed. The QR codes were linked to a website that initially displayed images of illegal drugs and offered them for sale. However, the page has since changed, now showing only the face of American actor Will Smith from the movieMen in Black, accompanied by Russian text that translates to “Forget it.”
The incident came to light when Chalermpong Saengdee, a People’s Party MP for Phuket, shared pictures of the man applying the stickers on social media. He scanned one of the QR codes and discovered the link led to a site promoting illegal substances. The website originally showed a woman holding a packet of white substance, along with other links to purchase drugs.
Police investigators identified the suspect as Semen Kasparian, a 27-year-old Russian national. They found out that he had fled to Koh Samui in Surat Thani on Tuesday. On Thursday at 2:30 am, he was arrested at a hotel in tambon Bo Put on the island. Despite his attempt to escape, he was successfully detained.
During the investigation, police discovered several unused QR code stickers in his room, as well as photographs of the locations where he had applied them on his phone. When questioned, Kasparian admitted that he had been offered the job by a foreigner through the Telegram application. He claimed to have earned 1 USDT for each sticker he placed. Over three days, he said he had made about 300 USDT.
The police have charged him with advertising illegal drugs and are continuing their investigation to identify the person who hired him. This case highlights the growing use of digital platforms and cryptocurrencies in the distribution of illegal substances, raising concerns about the security and regulation of such activities.
Key Details of the Case
- The suspect was seen applying QR code stickers on street poles in Phuket.
- The QR codes linked to a website that advertised illegal drugs.
- The website initially displayed images of drug packets and other links to purchase drugs.
- After the incident, the website was altered to show a photo of Will Smith with a Russian message.
- The suspect, Semen Kasparian, was arrested in Koh Samui after fleeing from Phuket.
- He claimed to have been paid 1 USDT per sticker, earning around 300 USDT in three days.
- Police are investigating further to find the person who hired him.