The government has promised a speedy investigation into the iCon Group fraud case, with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) set to take over the case as a special investigation. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced this development after a briefing with police investigators at Government House. The investigation involves damages exceeding 300 million baht and has affected over 100 people, meeting the conditions for the case to be transferred to the DSI.
As of Thursday, there have been 8,137 complaints filed by individuals who have suffered losses totaling 2.41 billion baht due to the iCon direct sales business. The transfer of the case to the DSI does not mean that the police or the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) will step back from their involvement. Instead, it is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the investigation process. Amlo will continue to track all iCon-related assets, while the police will support the DSI’s work.
However, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) will not be participating in the investigation due to concerns about its integrity. Questions have been raised about the relationship between the iCon Group and certain individuals within the agency, especially after the company received a consumer protection award in 2021. The OCPB has acknowledged these reports and will not be part of the investigation team.
In a related development, prison authorities are investigating reports of inappropriate behavior by Atchariya Reuangrattanapong, a well-known lawyer who chairs the Help Crime Victims Club. It is alleged that he entered an interrogation room where iCon suspect Jirawat “Boss Rap” Saengphakdi was being questioned and asked him to sign a paper appointing him as his lawyer, which the suspect refused to do. The acting warden of Bangkok Remand Prison is verifying these claims to determine the facts.
Overall, the investigation into the iCon Group fraud case is progressing, with the DSI set to take over the case and continue working with the police and Amlo. The involvement of key agencies and the commitment to transparency and integrity in the investigation process are crucial to ensuring justice for the victims of this fraud scheme.
