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Businessman who sold 'fake tickets for concerts and football matches' arrested in Thailand

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An Israeli businessman was arrested for allegedly selling tickets to non-existent concerts and football games in Thailand.

Oz Abudyan, 30, was said to have scammed his countrymen out of 'tens of millions of baht' before he was detained on 'White Lotus Island' Koh Samui, on November 16.

Police raided his hotel room following a request from Israeli authorities to extradite him.

Footage shows cops combing through Oz's belongings. A search of the alleged fugitive's phone is said to have found photos of concert tickets for Israeli singers for fraudulent sales.

Police Colonel Naruewat Phutthawiro, superintendent of Surat Thani Immigration, said Oz frequently changed hotels to evade authorities. He allegedly hid in popular tourist destinations like Pattaya and Phuket, but was eventually located through the biometric system.

The police chief added: 'We identified ourselves, handed him the visa-revocation order, and informed him that he was being detained for deportation under immigration law.'

Oz allegedly admitted to selling 'ghost tickets' and fleeing to Thailand when the scam victims filed complaints him.

Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said: 'I have ordered immigration checks in every province to ensure foreigners comply with Thai law, respect the locals, and are brought to justice if they commit any offences.'

The arrest comes amid mounting frustrations against Israeli tourists in Thailand, driven by disruptive behaviour and concerns over illegal Israeli settlements in places like Koh Phangan, which locals have branded a 'second Tel Aviv'.

Some restaurants have even displayed 'No Israel' signs, but critics said they are fuelled by the hysteria and protests surrounding the wider conflict in Gaza.

British, Russians, Australians and other nationalities are also among those regularly arrested for inappropriate behaviour while on holiday in Thailand.

On November 4, Israeli couple Daniel and Jarden, both 39, were arrested over outdoor sex at a waterfall beauty spot in Surat Thani.

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