Italian held in Thailand in $8 mn fraud case

Bangkok, May 25 (IANS/AKI) An Italian national, suspected of defrauding Italian lenders of over $8 million, has been arrested in Thailand and will be deported to his country, Thai police said.

Stefano Raccaqni, 38, was arrested in Chiang Mai, 600 km north of Bangkok, following a request from Italy via Interpol.

He faces charges of defrauding Italian banks and finance companies of more than $8.6 million, a Thai immigration police official said.

"We have revoked Raccaqni's visa and will deport him to Italy," said police major general Chitsanupong Yuktathad, deputy commissioner of Thailand's immigration police.

Raccaqni is also charged with tax evasion and smuggling people into Italy.

Raccaqni was suspected of belonging to a 12-member criminal gang that operated more than 40 companies in Italy that engaged in fraud, tax evasion and human trafficking.

He fled to Thailand, where he has been living for the past five years, after the gang's other alleged members were arrested in Italy.

--IANS/AKI

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