4 suspects were apprehended for allegedly operating a call centre scam selling illegal health products with a total value of six hundred million baht.
The arrests were jointly carried out by the Consumer Defense Police Division (CPPD) and Food and Drug Administration.
They follow an investigation in response to a problem filed with police on May 19 by a renowned DJ, whose name has been withheld.
She claimed the Facebook page known as “Center for the health of the particular nation” used a photo of her through her Instagram account to promote Efferin weight loss tablets.
CPPD commander Pol Maj Gen Anan Nanasombat yesterday told a press briefing that police first arrested a woman discovered only as Microsoft Issaree and Mister Pisit on Aug 17, while 2 other suspects, Mr Manasiri and Mister Thitiphat, were later caught at Suvarnabhumi airport on Aug 24.
The four had been wanted on police warrants issued by the Legal Court on August 15 for allegedly colluding to produce advertising that exaggerated the advantages of cosmetics. It was stated one hair serum product was 380% more likely to stimulate hair growth than rival products.
Law enforcement seized computers, mobile phones and related paperwork, as well as 33 unlawful products worth regarding 24 million baht.
The four denied the charges but admitted that the company operated a call center service to deliver products. They said this hired companies through Vietnam, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates to help create the advertisement.
The company earned about 219 million baht in revenue from promoting the products in January-June. Of this money, 188 million baht was paid to overseas companies as outsourced advertising costs.