DSI Charges 34 in Forex Scam Including Politician, Actor
Police have charged 34 people, including a ruling party MP and actor, with running an illegal forex trading scheme that defrauded investors through unlicensed brokerage operations and money laundering.
The Department of Special Investigation's Technology and Information Crime Division has completed its investigation into Special Case 92/2569, an unauthorized forex trading operation, and recommended prosecution of 34 defendants to the Special Public Prosecutor's Office. The defendants include 10 legal entities and 24 individuals.
Among those charged are Pawoet Pongwittayapanu, a People's Party MP known as Pom, and actor Ratphumi Tokhongtrap, known as Film. They face charges including conspiracy to defraud the public, conducting unlicensed securities brokerage business, operating unauthorized futures trading, entering false data into computer systems likely to cause public harm, and money laundering conspiracies.
At 8:30 a.m., Ratphumi appeared at DSI headquarters appearing relaxed and told reporters he was confident and not worried, saying he had already submitted all evidence and would let the process proceed.
At 9:00 a.m., Pawoet arrived with his legal team and stated he had answers regarding the 28 million baht financial trail linked to him that investigators discovered. He maintained his innocence, insisted he never provided forex services or defrauded anyone, and said all information he provided to investigators can be verified. While acknowledging he submitted extensive documents, Pawoet said he accepted the prosecution and would follow the legal process without using any privileges.
