A French woman was arrested for allegedly plotting to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy Thai family for a 5 million Euro ransom.

Sandra Christina Marie Dierstein, 45, was accused of scheming to abduct the seven-year-old daughter of Thai business mogul Issaree Suwunnavid in exchange for a whopping 200 million THB, around 5 million Euro or 4.3 million GBP.

The kidnapping plot reportedly came to light when one of Sandra's accomplices had a change of heart and informed Issaree before the plan could be carried out.

Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said Sandra was detained at the Silom Lofts Hotel in Bangkok on April 18.

Investigations found that the French woman had been staying at the hotel with a Lebanese man believed to be one of her accomplices. They were said to be renting the room to use as their hideout.

Sandra, believed to be the ringleader of a foreign gang, was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court on April 5 on suspicion of illegal assembly.

During questioning, she denied the allegations and claimed she had been scammed by Issaree's Australian husband out of 185 million THB (4.7 million Euro 4). She said she was being framed so he could avoid paying his debt.

She added that she had met the Lebanese man in Dubai and that she did not report her entry to Thailand to immigration officers because she feared for her safety.

Sandra was detained at the Thong Lor Police Station pending further legal proceedings.

Police Major General Theeradet, commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's investigative division, said: 'We do not believe the suspect's testimony because the evidence provided by the complainants in this case is convincing. 

'This incident involves a conspiracy to commit a serious crime against the young girl, endangering her family.'

According to Section 209 of the Thai Criminal Code, a member of an 'unlawful secret society' shall be punished with jail of up to seven years and a fine of up to 14,000 baht. If Sandra is found to be the gang leader, she may face a heavier punishment of up to 10 years in prison, and a 20,000-baht fine.