Prime iCon fraud suspect ‘Boss Paul’ jailed

Boss Paul claims that he has never given bribes to any condition firms.

Warathaphon "Boss Paul" Waratyaworrakul, founder and CEO of The iCon Group, is escorted by police from the Central Investigation Bureau to the Criminal Court in Bangkok on Friday morning. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
Warathaphon” Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, founder and CEO of The image Group, is escorted by officers from the Central Investigation Bureau to the Criminal Court in Bangkok on Friday night. ( Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham )

After the Criminal Court granted a police ask for confinement on Friday, Warathaphon” Boss Paul” Waratyaworrakul, a prime suspect in the image Group fraud case, was remanded in custody along with 17 different suspects.

The 41-year-old founder and CEO of the well-known online business promoter appeared stressed as he was escorted from the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ) to the court on Ratchadaphisek Road at 9am.

Police fought for bail, citing collusion with additional suspects and the nature of their crimes, which have had an immediate effect on society and left many victims at risk. He may create a trip risk if released briefly, according to officials.

After examining the officer’s demand and Mr Warathaphon’s evidence, the courtroom granted the incarceration request. At 11.45 am, the suspect was taken to the Bangkok Remand Prison without asking for loan.

Mr. Warathaphon was one of the 18 offenders wanted on suspicion of conspiring to commit people deception and entering false information into a computer system. All denied the claims.

On Thursday, 17 defendants were entered into judge. After three well-known celebrities ‘ loan requests were turned down due to flight risks, the court sentenced them to prison, while the others chose not to seek transfer. The three stars are professional Yuranunt” Boss Sam” Pamornmontri, artist Pechaya” Boss Min” Wattanamontree and television network Kan” Boss Kan” Kantathavorn.

The suspects, referred to as “bosses” within the logo Group’s marketing order, were apprehended on Wednesday following over 1, 000 fraud problems. Patients claimed that the company pressured them into making additional financial commitments, leading to significant losses, after tempting them with low-cost website promotion courses.

Pol Maj Gen Suwat Saengnum, the CIB deputy director, said Mr Warathaphon wanted to give more comments concerning his company. Before he was taken to court the following day, authorities completed their probing around 8 p.m. on Thursday.

According to Pol Maj Gen Suwat, researchers needed time to work on the situation and would work with pertinent agencies, promising justice to all parties involved, despite public skepticism about the firm.

Withoon Keng-ngarm, Mr Warathaphon’s counsel, said on Friday that he would not seek bail after other defendants were denied release. Before the court hearing, the attorney made a visit to his client at the CIB business.

During doubting, Mr Warathaphon insisted that his business operated officially. According to his attorney, everyone involved was found not guilty.

Mr. Warathaphon was questioned about an audio tape featuring a conversation between two people by Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, the deputy director of the CIB, on Thursday.

The CEO of the company acknowledged that he was speaking in the audio tape that became popular online. However, he insisted he had not paid pay money to any condition companies as alleged.

His lawyer even refuted statements made by Ekkapop Luangprasert, an assistant to the inside minister, regarding commodity transition into bitcoin for bribes.

According to Mr. Withoon, the company’s attrition was 10 billion baht, which makes it impossible for that sum to have been used for money. He verified Mr. Ekkapop’s assertions and discovered that the people mentioned by the president’s assistant had no connection to The symbol Group.

He warned Mr. Ekkapop that he might experience fees for fabricating information.