BANGKOK, THAILAND - A Malaysian man was arrested by police for cheating a Thai businessmen of millions of baht.

The man claimed to be a Datuk and alleged he was working with a Cyprus bank.

Police Colonel Supisal Phakdee-narunat said the 50-year-old and his Thai accomplice were picked up from a five-star hotel in the Silom area here Thursday evening.

The "Datuk" had told the Thai businessman he could help arrange for a loan up to US$150 million ($208 million), but the Thai needed to pay S$225,000 as loan processing fee.

When the Thai businessman checked with the bank, he was told the "Datuk" was not a staff.