Assets seized as iCon probe expands

Police want to speak with the CEO about an alleged pay demand from a politician

People who say they suffered financial damage because of the practices of The iCon Group file complaints with the Consumer Protection Police Division in Bangkok. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
People who claim economic harm as a result of The image Group’s techniques file complaints with Bangkok’s Consumer Protection Police Division. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

As investigations into allegations that it ran a pyramid scheme continue, The Anti-Money Laundering Office ( Amlo ) has ordered the iCon Group, its CEO, and three others to keep their assets impounded for 90 days.

The direct-sales company was suspected of conducting activities that might be considered scams, according to a statement released on Tuesday evening. As a result, Amlo Secretary-General Thepsu Bawornchotdara stated that there was a chance that assets that might be transferred or hid from a person who is suspected of wrongdoing may become allegedly uncovered.

The property seized consisted of money in stock trading accounts, existing balances, saving accounts and online commodity trading records, the statement said.

Apart from the business and CEO Warathaphon” Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, people whose property were impounded were the artist and TV program network Kan Kantathavorn, Thitaya Hong-upathumchai and Nichaphon Thongmee.

The development came as a result of the federal police chief’s announcement that roughly 1,100 people had come forward to say that their investments with iCon had cost them money.

And while police are looking into allegations that a politician bribed Mr. Warathaphon to avoid being subjected to attention, they are also looking into claims that a politician extorted the information to avoid being charged with criminal activity.

Police interviewed the image CEO on Saturday, but they intend to call him back to talk about an audio recording that purports to be of Mr. Warathaphon and the lawmaker.

In exchange for lobbying efforts to stop Mr. Warathaphon from being investigated by a House committee, the discussion turns to economic support for the politician.

One of the voices, reportedly a council member, says,” Paul needs to take better care of me, giving me at least 100, 000 ringgit per month to maintain individuals. If Paul gives more, he can get anything done. If any commission calls, only let me know and I’ll tackle it”.

Mr. Warathaphon admitted on Monday on the Hon Krasae ( Catching the Trend ) TV program that the voice in the recording was his, but he declined to reveal the identity of the other person.

The recording had been sent for forensic analysis to determine whether the voices were human or AI-generated, according to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ).

Given that the conversation concerned demands for money, the inspection will also concentrate on identifying the supply of the sound clip, who might well be the victim.

According to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat, Mr. Warathaphon may be questioned about whether he intends to file charges against officers who demanded cash from him.

The Palang Pracharath Party’s official, Pol Lt Gen Piya Tawichai, insisted that the party is ready to take punitive and legitimate action if there is any information or evidence linking group members to such misconduct.

The Department of Special Investigation ( DSI), meanwhile, is carrying out another investigation, focusing on the company’s financial statements dating back to its inception in 2019.

It has found some considerable abnormalities, including problems related to money, costs and the company’s balance sheet, said Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, the acting director-general of the DSI.

logo clinic under analysis

In a related development, a center under the symbol Group, which specialised in selling health and diet pills, could be in trouble for hiring a false physician, according to the Department of Health Service Support ( DHSS).

As seen in numerous videos, investigators are looking to see if the image Wellness office on Ram Indra Road in Bang Khen area is the place where” Boss Mor Ek” works. If it is, legitimate action will be taken against the doctor, said Dr Panuwat Panket, the mind of the DHSS.

He claimed that officers, Food and Drug Administration, and representatives from his department planned to go to the doctor.

The Medical Council of Thailand lodged a legal problem on Monday against” Boss Mor Ek,” also known as Thananond Hiranchaiyawan, a senior executive of The image Group. On Tuesday, the DHSS filed a separate issue against Md Thananond for fabricating his health credentials.

” We need to ensure that it is his workplace”, Dr Panuwat said of the organized visit to the office. If so, it indicates that the clinic is breaking the law by employing a physician without a medical license to observe patients. The doctor proprietor may face legal action.

According to his description, The Icon Wellness doctor is legally registered with the ministry, and iCon CEO Warathaphon is listed as a member of the patient’s table.