Almost 7,000 fraud complaints have been filed against The iCon Group, with total reported losses exceeding 2 billion baht.
From October 10 to 21, 6,979 individuals lodged complaints with the Central Investigation Bureau’s (CIB) complaints center and various police stations nationwide, according to national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet. Complainants reported total damages amounting to 2,046 million baht.
Investigators are currently reviewing the financial records and money trails associated with the online business, Pol Gen Kitrat stated.
On Tuesday, police conducted searches at 11 additional locations linked to the 18 company officers accused of public fraud in order to gather more evidence.
Warathaphon “Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, 41, the founder and CEO of The iCon Group, along with 17 other suspects, including several celebrities, was arrested last Wednesday on charges of public fraud and disseminating false information via a computer system. All suspects are currently being held in custody.
The iCon Group, a major online business known for promoting direct selling through its network of dealers and agents, is accused of operating a pyramid scheme.
Pol Gen Kitrat noted that investigators are compiling evidence to support applications for arrest warrants for a second group of suspects. He assured the public that anyone found complicit in the scheme would face legal repercussions, regardless of their status.
When asked about the potential involvement of Iyada Kantathavorn, the wife of popular TV host and actor Kan Kantathavorn, in the second group of suspects, Pol Gen Kitrat stated that he had not seen her name on any suspect lists, and there were no reports of her leaving the country. Mr. Kan is among the 18 suspects already arrested.
The police chief indicated that additional charges would be filed against the 18 suspects if the ongoing investigation uncovers further offenses.
In response to questions about viral audio recordings allegedly linked to attempts to extort money from “Boss Paul,” Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the CIB, is currently investigating the matter. The police chief refrained from disclosing specific details about those involved, although Mr. Warathaphon has confirmed that he is the voice heard in the recordings.
To date, authorities have seized assets, including luxury cars and other valuables, valued at around 400 million baht from the 18 key suspects.
Pol Maj Gen Sophon Saraphat, CIB deputy commissioner, mentioned that police are investigating reports of asset transfers among those implicated in the fraud case. Officers are scrutinizing evidence, particularly security camera footage, in search of signs and evidence of asset transfers.
CIB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej confirmed that Mr. Warathaphon’s ID card has been verified as Thai, contradicting claims that he might be a foreign citizen. Authorities checked the registration database and clarified that his ID card began with the number 5 due to his name being added after an initial survey.
