Prosecutors have indicted celebrity couple “DJ Man” and his singer-wife “Baitoey” and four others for alleged fraud in the multi-billion-baht Forex-3D Ponzi case.
The couple were previously known as Pattanapon “DJ Man” Mintakhin and Suteewan “Baitoey” Thaweesin. They now both use the married surname Kunjara, and were indicted under that name.
Mr Pattanapon and Ms Suteewan, accompanied by their lawyer, arrived at the Office of the Attorney-General’s department of special litigation to hear the prosecution’s decision in the case against them on Tuesday morning.
The couple and four others were accused on three counts – colluding in obtaining loans to defraud, public fraud and inputting false information into a computer system in violation of of the Computer Crime Act.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Pattanapon, alias “DJ Man”, said he had not been aware in advance of the prosecutors’ decision and he had not prepared any assets to support an application for his release on bail. He was waiting for his mother to arrive. Ms Suteewan, or “Baitoey”, appeared stressed and refused to speak with reporters.
Prosecutors on Tuesday morning indicted all six people in the case on all three counts, deputy spokesman Kosolwat Intuchanwong said.
In February, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) formally charged the couple and six others on charges relating to the Forex-3D Ponzi scheme.
Mr Pattanapon and Ms Suteewan reported to DSI investigators last September to acknowledge the three charges, all of which they denied, and were then released. They were among 16 people suspected of involvement.
In 2019, the DSI summoned Mr Pattanapon and Ms Suteewan to clarify their connection with the owner of Forex-3D, Apiruk Kothi, who is accused of a multi-billion-baht fraud.
Forex-3D claimed to be an online dealer in foreign exchange, with a flashy website, but was unlicensed and operated as a Ponzi scheme. Celebrities were paid to promote it.
Singer Suteewan “Baitoey” ignores reportrs’ questions as she arrives at the Office of the Attorney-General’s department of special litigation on Tueday morning. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)