Police have apprehended all 18 suspects linked to the iCon Group fraud case, including the founder and CEO, Warathaphon “Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, as confirmed by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Wednesday night.
Mr. Warathaphon, aged 41, was arrested around 4 PM at the Consumer Protection Board office while providing a statement regarding his business operations, which are under investigation for alleged pyramid selling and fraud.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Criminal Court approved arrest warrants for Mr. Warathaphon and the 17 others, including several celebrities, on charges related to public fraud and the insertion of false information into a computer system.
Following his arrest, officers took Mr. Warathaphon to search his residence and offices before transporting him to the CIB headquarters in Bangkok.
Kan Kantathavorn, a well-known television host and actor associated with The iCon Group, was brought to the CIB at 7:30 PM. His arrest occurred after two other suspects, Jirawat Saengpakdee and Kanokthorn Puranasukhon, were also taken into custody.
The last three individuals arrested were Saowapha Wongsakha, Songkrot “Boss Peter” Sretthanan, and Chetnaphat “Boss Tommy” Apiwattanakarn.
Earlier arrests included Panjarat “Boss Tan” Kanokrakthanaphorn; Tananont “Boss Mor Ek” Hiranchaiwan; Natpasorn “Boss Suay” Chatthanasor; Yasikan “Boss Soda” Ekchisanuphong; Nantharat “Boss Om” Chaowanapreecha; Thawinphas “Boss Win” Phupattanarin; Hassayanont “Boss Pop” Ekchisanuphong; and celebrity Yuranunt “Sam” Pamornmontri.
Mr. Tananont was arrested following a previous unsuccessful attempt to locate him at the iCon Wellness Centre in Bangkok. Although qualified as a medical technician, he is accused of falsely claiming to be a doctor of medicine.
Additionally, three other members of The iCon Group were taken into custody: actress Pechaya “Boss Min” Wattanamontree, Wilailak “Boss Oil” Jengsuwan, and Thanarot “Boss Off” Thitijariyawat.
Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan, commander of the Crime Suppression Division, has instructed building management to prepare interrogation rooms for the fraud suspects and for cleaning staff to sanitize the detention facilities.
Over 1,100 individuals have lodged fraud complaints against The iCon Group, which marketed health and dietary supplements. The company attracted many participants by offering inexpensive online sales courses, but upon enrollment, they were asked for more money to purchase products and subsequently larger financial commitments for advertising to recruit new members.
