From star to scam: Former actress accused of designer deceit
A former Thai actress and ex-candidate for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council allegedly swindled more than 10 million baht from multiple victims in a designer brand scam.
Some of the victims visited the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)’s Complaint Centre on September 30, to report the scam to officials. The former actor and president of the Santi Prachatham Foundation, Taenkhun Jit-itsara, accompanied and assisted them.
The victims’ representative, Naphatpirada, revealed in a press conference with several news agencies that she came across the Instagram account of the former actress, who also appeared to act as an agent for designer brand purchases and consignments.
Trusting the scammer due to her status as a former actress and political candidate, Naphatpirada decided to use her consignment services. She sent two designer bags to the suspect, asking her to sell them.
However, the former actress failed to provide Naphatpirada with any updates regarding the sale. When contacted, the suspect transferred the proceeds of one of the bags to Naphatpirada.
Naphatpirada stressed that the former actress had not transferred the full amount, claiming that the client had paid in instalments. She further noted that she never received the payment for the second bag.
Initially, Naphatpirada refrained from filing a complaint and gave the former actress four months to return the bag or provide the money. However, the suspect failed to do so and continued to live her luxurious lifestyle as usual.
As a result, Naphatpirada reported the matter to Wang Thong Lang Police Station. She added that the former actress continued her scam activities on social media as if nothing had happened.
Other victims present shared similar experiences, reporting that they too were defrauded in the same manner as Naphatpirada.
Taenkhun urged the former actress to return the money and products to each victim. Should she fail to do so, she would face a fraud charge, which could result in up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 60,000 baht, or both.
