Mr. Ek, the driver of “Boss Paul”, recently provided the authorities with another mobile phone belonging to Boss Paul, believed to contain important audio evidence involving extortion claims. The investigating team is set to charge 18 additional suspects primarily with money laundering. The first international victim from Macau has already reported a loss of 250,000 baht, claiming they received incomplete products from the investment scheme.
Numerous victims have filed complaints against the management of “The iCON GROUP Co., Ltd.”, which is accused of running a Ponzi scheme. The company allegedly lured individuals to invest without selling actual products, bolstered by celebrity endorsements. Following investigations, arrest warrants have been issued for 18 individuals including key figures from the company and their associates, with charges mainly centered around fraud and computer-related crimes.
Updates on Extortion Clips
The Central Investigation Bureau confirmed that they are currently analyzing audio evidence provided by Boss Paul, which allegedly includes conversations between him and famous individuals demanding money. The results of this investigation are still pending.
Further Investigations Planned
A meeting among investigating officers is scheduled for October 21, 2024, to discuss further actions, including inviting implicated politicians to provide clarifications.
Custody of Boss Paul’s Phone
Mr. Ek turned over another phone belonging to Boss Paul for police examination, following earlier seizures. Authorities suspect this phone contains significant recordings of conversations with individuals demanding money from Boss Paul.
Money Laundering Charges are Key
The investigation team is also considering additional charges of money laundering against the arrested suspects, and is collaborating with the Department of Special Investigation to determine if they will take over the case.
Victims Continue to Come Forward
Through various channels, more victims have been reporting losses, raising the total number of victims to over 5,600 with a cumulative loss exceeding 1.6 billion baht. The police are also attempting to seize additional assets related to the case.
Requests for Legal Assistance
A large group of over 200 victims has approached the Lawyers Council seeking to initiate civil lawsuits against the 18 executives of The iCON Group, highlighting the significance of legal support to recover their losses.
Impact on Local Businesses
The fallout from the scandal has significantly impacted local sellers of The iCON products. One vendor expressed concerns about their business failing due to customers associating them with the controversy, prompting her to change the advertisement and reduce prices.
This article was rewritten from a Thairath’s news article.
