As reported by Bangkok Post, Thai police recently detained a local celebrity for money laundering reportedly after the complaint he fraudulently enticed a foreigner into investing 797 million baht ($24M USD) in cryptocurrency.
27-year old celebrity Jiratpisit “Boom” Jaravijit was detained at a filming place in Bangkok on Wednesday. In accordance with Thai authorities, Jiratpisit is just one of those seven suspects alleged cryptocurrency scam, which could possibly include his elderly sister and brother. Authorities allegedly got a complaint that they had enticed a man into moving cash in the shape of bitcoins in the opinion they’d purchase shares in companies which invested in electronic money Dragon Coin.
“The group lured the victim to move 5,564 bitcoins to its e-wallet, asserting that the payment had been for the stocks of three companies, including DNA 2002 Public Company Limited,” Crimes Suppression Division (CSD) chief Pol Maj-General Maitree Chimcherd explained. “However he never obtained the stocks after making the move.”
Jiratpisit allegedly transferred about 400 million baht ($12M USD) of their cash to his allies as well as the money was loaned outside with property as collateral. CSD deputy commander Pol Colonel Chakrit Sawasdee said the government had seized land value over 200 million baht ($6M USD) possessed by Jiratpisit’s siblings.
Jiratpisit has denied any wrongdoing, also insisted that the bank accounts under investigation were really handled by his brother, Parinya. Maitree stated Jiratpisit’s allies would also be charged with people fraud after.
Moreover, it has also been stated that all the companies involved in cryptocurrencies importantly, ICOs have to register with the commission. The ICOs are required to state the type of token which will be issued and the investment information. Following which, the Thai SEC also saw 50 ICO project registrations.
