The arrest followed a sting operation by the Tourist Police after receiving reports of unlicensed medical activity being advertised online.
Tourist Police launched an investigation after receiving a tip that a Russian woman was promoting herself online as a doctor, offering treatments and injections to cure various illnesses and alleviate symptoms such as hangovers. Interested foreigners would make appointments through online messaging platforms.
Officers from Investigation Division 2, Tourist Police Bureau 3, initiated surveillance and arranged for undercover officers to contact the suspect via WhatsApp. Posing as customers, the officers arranged an appointment for treatment at a rented room in Phuket Town last Thursday (June 12).
At around 9pm, the suspect arrived at the location and discussed the treatment fee of B6,000. After accepting payment, she produced medical equipment and prepared to administer an injection. At that point, the officers identified themselves and placed her under arrest.
The suspect was identified as Viktoriia Freimark, 33, a Russian national. She faces multiple charges, including: practicing medicine without a license; selling prescription drugs without a license; producing, selling, or importing prescription drugs without a license; and working without a valid work permit
During questioning, Ms Freimark admitted she was not a licensed medical professional and had no authorisation to sell or administer medication, police reported.
She claimed she had been contacted by another Russian, identified only as Ms Marina, who arranged the appointment through an online page. Ms Freimark admitted to providing similar injection treatments to customers on two or three previous occasions.
Tourist Police also seized 47 items of evidence, including medical supplies and drugs, which were handed over to investigators for further legal action.