Billion-baht pyramid scam suspect nabbed after years on the run
Law enforcement officials apprehended a key figure in a multibillion-baht pyramid scheme after more than a decade on the run. The wife of the owner of Ufun Store, accused of orchestrating a fraudulent chain-share operation that deceived thousands of people, was arrested in Sri Sa Ket province.
The criminal operation, which has caused financial damages amounting to billions of baht, was first disrupted by police in 2015 when the Consumer Protection Police Division raided the Ufun Store. The operation resulted in the arrest of several suspects, though some remained at large.
Witthaya Sriprasertphap, the chief of the Consumer Protection Police Division, orchestrated the operation leading to the capture of Rattakrisbavorn, who is believed to be a crucial player in the fraudulent network. Rattakrisbavorn, the spouse of Ufun Store’s executive, had fled to Sri Sa Ket province, where she was finally located and arrested by the authorities, reported KhaoSod.
Despite her denial of the charges, officers remain sceptical of her claims. Initially, Rattakrisbavorn was brought before the Consumer Protection Police Division for further investigation. She faces serious accusations, including involvement in transnational organised crime, conspiracy to commit public fraud, and money laundering. These charges follow arrest warrants issued by the Criminal Court in 2015 and 2016.
The persistence of the Consumer Protection Police Division in pursuing suspects linked to the Ufun Store case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat financial fraud and protect consumers in Thailand.
In related news, a 23 year old woman from Khon Kaen, Juthamas Poolmee, was apprehended by the Anti-Trafficking Police squad for fraudulently using Facebook to deceive charitable individuals into donating money.
The arrest, which occurred at a dormitory in Chiang Nern, Mueang District, Rayong, followed a warrant issued by the Trat Provincial Court on November 20. Juthamas was charged with deceiving the public and dishonestly or fraudulently entering false data into a computer system.
