The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has decided to seek indictments against a group of 16 people accused of running a Myanmar-based investment scam estimated to have cost victims more than 300 million baht in losses.
DSI deputy chief Suriya Singkamol said the suspects, led by Supattha Chantarangsi, 68, chairwoman of Hujjee Group Co, face several charges including fraud and publishing false information.
Ms Supattha was accused with 15 others of luring more than 1,200 companies to invest in 78 multi-million-baht infrastructure projects in Myanmar's Mon state with the help of a Myanmar Mon state royal descendant named "Chao Thepyothin" who turned out to be an imposter. The schemes, likewise, did not exist.
According to Pol Maj Suriya, the other suspects include Kosin Jina-on, former editor of a local magazine who helped create a website containing false information.
Ms Supattha was arrested in early October by military officials at the 11th Military Circle shortly after the investment scam was exposed.
Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry is being asked to look into an alleged scam in a northeastern province affecting about 300 villagers which caused about 65 million baht in losses.
In their petition, residents of Kalasin's Tha Khantho district, led by Anong Laonukul, call on the authorities to investigate the role of the president of a community-based bank and others in alleged public fraud.
According to the villagers, they are being sued by the Government Savings Bank (GSB) over loan debts totalling 650,000 baht each. Of this, 200,000 baht was a loan they took out from GSB, 50,000 baht is interest and another 400,000 baht is for two further loans they signed as guarantors for. They claim they were persuaded by the president of the community-based bank to obtain loans worth 200,000 baht each from GSB.
They were paid 10,000 baht each to borrow the money which was for the community bank's revolving fund. They were told the community bank would be responsible for the repayments.
Mr Anong said the borrowers were required only to give copies of their ID cards when applying for loans while guarantors were provided by the bank staff.
According to Mr Anong, the community bank made the loan repayments for about three years but then stopped paying, prompting the GSB to sue the borrowers who signed the documents.
A complaint has been lodged with local police but there seems to be little progress, he said, adding that about 30 borrowers now face a court order to repay the loans. "We want the Legal Execution Department to delay enforcing the court order and the Justice Ministry to help solve the debt problems," he said.
Noopin Promchuay, a villager from tambon Natan, said she received a debt repayment notice from GSB three years after signing up for the loan but the community bank refused to clarify the issue.
Deputy justice permanent secretary Thawatchai Thaikhiew said the ministry will have to conduct an initial probe before deciding whether to take further action. The DSI will be assigned to investigate if the findings suggest public fraud, he said.
