BANGKOK — At least 18 “bosses” of The iCon Group, a direct sales business accused of operating a ponzi scheme, have been arrested. Among them are Boss Paul Waratphon Waratthawarakun, 41, and three famous celebrities.
The story of these bosses has dominated news headlines and social media comments throughout the week since October 10. The TV show “Ride the Waves” or “Hoen Krasae” on Channel 3, hosted by popular star Konchai Kamnerdploy, gradually brought in victims and relatives of those who were persuaded to invest until they were left penniless, and some who had committed suicide, to share their stories and expose the tricks used by the bosses to sell pipe dreams.
Victims continue to come forward to file complaints with investigators at the Consumer Protection Police Division. As of October 16, police have taken statements from 1,063 people, with the total damages approaching 400 million baht.
Meanwhile, the government has had to launch an investigation after the exposé expanded from celebrities and influencers to implicate government officials and politicians. A leaked audio clip revealed monthly payments of 100,000 baht and claims of the ability to transfer government officials.
On October 16, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Chantararuangthong signed an order appointing a seven-member fact-finding committee, all from outside the Consumer Protection Board, to ensure transparency.
The committee began its first meeting on October 17 and is scheduled to report to Prasert and Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Jiraporn Sinthuporn within 30 days.
The investigation has also extended to the medical field after it was discovered that Thananon Hiranchaiyawan, who graduated in medical technology, had falsely claimed and misled others into believing he was a doctor. He used medical equipment to pretend to perform health check-ups on others and called himself “Boss Doctor Ek.”
On the same day, public health officials, along with Consumer Protection Police, Department of Health Service Support officials, and FDA officials, inspected the Di Icon Wellness Medical Clinic building of the The Icon Group in the Ram Intra area and collected various pieces of evidence for examination.
DSI officers traveled to seize a plot of land located along the parallel road to Kanchanaphisek Road in Lat Sawai Subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani Province. After investigation, they found three plots of land, or over 60 rai, related to Di Icon Group, which Boss Paul had purchased under a juristic person’s name, valued at hundreds of millions of baht, to expand the business under the name “The iCon City.” This matter is being handled by the Anti-Money Laundering Office.
Regarding the case of an important witness providing information to the Department of Special Investigation that officials under their jurisdiction had received benefits from Di Icon Group, the DSI stated that they would investigate the facts and establish a fact-finding committee.
At 3:30 PM, central investigation police officers executed arrest warrants from the Criminal Court to arrest 18 suspects involved in “defrauding the public and inputting false information into computer systems.” Each person had set themselves up as a boss and had the following nicknames:
- Waratphon Waratthawarakun (Boss Paul)
- Panjarat Kanokrakthanaphon (Boss Tan)
- Thananon Hiranchaiyawan (Boss Dr. Ake)
- Natpasorn Chatthanasorn (Boss Suay)
- Yasikanjan Ekkachisanupong (Boss Soda)
- Nantharat Chaowanapreecha (Boss Om)
- Thawinphat Phuphatthonarin (Boss Win)
- Hatsayanon Ekkachisanupong (Boss Pop)
- Yuranunt Phamonmontri (Boss Sam)
- Pheechaya Watthanamontri (Boss Min)
- Wilailak Jengsuwan (Boss Oi)
- Thanarot Thitijiriyawat (Boss Op)
- Kan Kantathawon (Boss Kan)
- Jirawat Saengphakdi
- Chetnapat Aphiphatthanakon (Boss Tommy)
- Saowapa Wongsakhao (Boss Umi)
- Kanokthorn Puranasukkhon (Boss Mae Ying)
- Klot Setthanant (Boss Peter)
Police gradually brought the arrested suspects to the Crime Suppression Division in the CIB headquarters, along with various pieces of evidence such as computers, branded items, and gowns with The iCon Group logo. They also seized several luxury cars for examination.
On the night of Wednesday, October 16, police gradually interrogated all suspects, who were detained in holding cells at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters. Bail was not granted at the investigation level, so all must wait for the court bail process the following day.
If the court grants bail, it is expected that each person will have to rely on bail money from their family or close associates, as their assets have been temporarily seized by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) for a period of 90 days.
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