Singer Ben Aphache Loses Nearly 2M Baht to Loan App Scam
Thai singer Ben Aphache lost nearly 2 million baht to illegal loan apps that falsely claimed Finance Ministry certification. After nearly a year of payments at effective 40% weekly interest, his accounts were frozen under anti-cybercrime laws and he faced death threats from the operators. Police confirmed the money went to fake accounts and advised him to stop payments and go public as a warning.
Thai singer Ben Aphache has come forward about falling victim to an illegal loan app scam that cost him nearly 2 million baht over almost a year. He initially downloaded the app early this year after seeing advertisements promising low interest rates of under 2% per month over 180 days, with claims of Finance Ministry certification and availability on the App Store. Instead, the repayment period turned out to be only six days with effective weekly interest rates around 40%. The apps disguised interest as 'service fees' of 5,000-6,000 baht on 10,000 baht loans, meaning borrowers received only about 6,000 baht but had to repay the full 10,000 baht within six days. Ben says he never missed a payment despite severe stress, often borrowing from siblings to keep up, fearing damage to his reputation. The situation escalated when his bank accounts were frozen under the Emergency Decree on Measures for Prevention and Suppression of Technology Crimes while he was ordained as a monk. Police investigation confirmed the transfers went to nominee and fake accounts not registered in any system. Since the freeze, Ben says he has been stalked and threatened, with the perpetrators claiming police cannot touch them and threatening to raid his home. Police have advised him to cease all contact and payments, and to share his story publicly as a warning. The apps, including names like Mee Tang, Loter, Thai Finance, Chang Sabati, and Ngoen Mun, remain downloadable on both App Store and iOS platforms.
