By Khaosod English
BANGKOK — Nuttamon Kongjak, known as “Nutty,” a 31-year-old Thai YouTuber and influencer, is the latest social media figure facing serious fraud charges. She allegedly deceived over 6,000 victims in a stock trading scheme, causing damages exceeding 2 billion baht (approximately $60 million).
Nutty and her mother, Thaniya, 66, were issued arrest warrants by the Criminal Court on September 12, 2022, for public fraud and providing false information. Nutty has 13 arrest warrants against her, while her mother has two. Both fled to Indonesia in July 2022, making their way through Malaysia before arriving in Indonesia by boat.
They were extradited from Indonesia and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport on October 25, 2024, under the custody of Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers. During their time in hiding, they worked illegally as food delivery workers to sustain themselves while evading arrest for illegal entry.
On October 2, 2024, Indonesian police captured them in Dumai, Riau Province. The DSI subsequently detained them at the Ratchada Criminal Court from October 26 to November 6, opposing bail due to concerns that they might flee again.
Neither relatives nor lawyers appeared to request bail, leading to their transfer to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok. The DSI is also searching for Nutty’s secretary, who is believed to still be abroad. Investigations will continue into those who assisted the duo while they were fugitives.
Nutty’s story includes a troubling past, as she discussed on a 2014 Channel 3 variety show how her family lost their wealth after investing in stocks. Thaniya had previously earned a substantial income from a karaoke business but sought a new life in Malaysia.
There, she allegedly negotiated a deal involving her daughter with a wealthy tycoon, which they later escaped from after returning the money and filing for divorce. Upon returning to Thailand, Nutty transitioned into a successful YouTuber with her channel “Nutty’s Diary,” eventually enticing people to invest in her stock trading scheme with promises of high returns.
In April 2022, claims began surfacing on social media, revealing that Nutty had deceived many of her investors, leading to investigations that uncovered her extravagant spending habits. Out of the 6,000 victims, 445 have formally filed complaints, totaling damages over 2 billion baht.
This case unfolds against a backdrop of other significant fraud cases in Thailand, including high-profile figures and celebrities involved in similar schemes, highlighting a troubling pattern of deception within the influencer community.
