CEO Set for Court Appearance as DSI Uncovers Critical Evidence in iCon Fraud Case
Seventeen individuals implicated in the iCon Group fraud case have been remanded in custody after the Criminal Court denied bail requests from three notable figures, citing concerns over potential flight risks. The remaining suspects did not apply for bail.
This ruling coincided with a significant development as the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) discovered a server containing essential business records associated with the accused online sales company, which faces allegations of operating a pyramid scheme. Additionally, authorities seized assets worth approximately 220 million baht, including luxury vehicles.
Authorities presented 17 suspects to the court on Thursday to request their continued detention, while the founder and CEO of iCon, Warathaphon “Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, remained under investigation. He is scheduled for a court appearance on Friday.
All 18 suspects, referred to as “bosses” within the iCon hierarchy, were arrested after over 1,000 individuals lodged complaints of fraud against the company. Victims allege that iCon lured them with low-cost online sales courses, only to pressure them for further financial commitments, resulting in losses totaling hundreds of thousands of baht.
The suspects face charges of colluding in public fraud and inputting false information into a computer system, all of which they deny.
Among the 17 suspects, only three — actors Yuranunt “Boss Sam” Pamornmontri, Pechaya “Boss Min” Wattanamontree, and TV host Kan Kantathavorn — sought bail. The court rejected their applications, emphasizing the potential flight risk and concerns about tampering with evidence.
A total of 150 representatives of the alleged victims filed a petition opposing the temporary release of the suspects.
The ten male suspects were sent to Bangkok Remand Prison, while the seven female suspects were transferred to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution.
Following roughly 14 hours of questioning at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), the suspects were taken to court. The CIB’s deputy commissioner revealed that the initial questioning of Mr. Warathaphon is expected to conclude by Friday, adhering to the legal timeframe.
Officials are currently compiling evidence and interviewing victims to determine if additional arrests are warranted.
Legal representatives for the iCon Group’s CEO have stated that he denies all allegations, maintaining his original testimony during police inquiries.
DSI Investigates Server for Crucial Evidence
The Department of Special Investigation executed a search on Thursday at a facility in the Bung Kum district of Bangkok, aiming to gather further evidence regarding the operations of The iCon Group.
Equipped with a search warrant, investigators accessed the building on Ratchada-Ram Indra Road around 11 AM, having obtained reliable intelligence that iCon had utilized a cloud server for data backup, according to a DSI spokesperson.
Rapid action was critical to preserve digital evidence, which is easily altered, the spokesperson added.
Preliminary examinations revealed that the server contained data from all activities of the online business, which will be integral for the ongoing investigation.
The building’s owner cooperated with DSI personnel in the data retrieval process, confirming no direct association with The iCon Group.
In addition to following the financial trail of the company, the DSI is scrutinizing accounting practices for any potential irregularities.
The DSI plans to search a residence in Pathum Thani linked to a key programmer associated with the firm.
The attorney for Mr. Warathaphon stated that his client remains unperturbed regarding the rejection of his bail request, highlighting that it merely alters his accommodation while the situation unfolds.
The complete list of other suspects includes:
- Jirawat “Boss Lab” Saengpakdee
- Klod “Boss Peter” Sretthanan
- Ms. Panjaras “Boss Pan” Kanokrakthanaporn
- Tananont “Boss Mor Ek” Hiranchaiwan
- Ms. Natpasorn “Boss Suay” Hatthanasorn
- Ms. Yasikan “Boss Soda” Ekchisanuphong
- Nantharat “Boss Om” Chaowanapreecha
- Thawinphas “Boss Win” Phupattanarin
- Ms. Kanokthorn “Boss Mae Ying” Puranasukhon
- Ms. Saowapaa “Boss Oommy” Wongsakha
- Chetnaphat “Boss Tommy” Apiwattanakarn
- Hassayanont “Boss Pop” Ekchisanuphong
- Ms. Wilailak “Boss Joy” Yawichai or Jensuwan
- Thanarot “Boss Off” Thitijariyawat
- Celebrity Yuranunt “Boss Sam” Pamornmontri
- Actress Pechaya “Boss Min” Wattanamontree
- Actor and TV host Kan “Boss Kan” Kantathavorn
Editorial: iCon Fraud Case Raises Serious Concerns
