A male model, Suraphit Pakahan, 30, has been arrested in Bangkok for allegedly creating an enticing social media profile to deceive individuals into investing in a fraudulent foreign-exchange trading scheme. His arrest took place at a luxury condominium in Thon Buri on Thursday, following numerous complaints lodged with the police via the IDMB Facebook page.
Background of the Case
Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thumsuthee, an investigative commander with the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), reported that an arrest warrant had been issued by the Don Mueang Kwaeng Court for offenses related to cheques. A criminal record check revealed that Pakahan had 16 additional arrest warrants outstanding for fraud and cheque-related offenses.
According to victims, Pakahan, a well-known model, lured them into investing in a forex trading scheme by showcasing an attractive profile, complete with images of him attending seminars and training sessions. He falsely claimed to have extensive experience in forex trading. However, police revealed that he did not use the invested funds for foreign currency trading as promised, leading to damages exceeding 10 million baht for the victims.
Investigation and Arrest
Investigators found that Pakahan left Thailand for Istanbul, Turkey, on November 30, 2022, and had no travel data indicating his return. Recently, authorities received tips about a suspect resembling Pakahan residing in a luxury condominium. Officers monitored the suspect’s activities before executing the raid.
During police questioning, Suraphit disclosed his background in the entertainment industry, stating he had been a model since the age of 19. He had established a company offering services related to online applications and games, where he managed operations and collected payments from clients, only to hire friends for the work.
Pakahan admitted to investing in stock trading and funding a lavish lifestyle but later encountered financial difficulties. He claimed he left the country to pursue an English language course in the United Kingdom, but upon learning of the arrest warrants against him, he grew anxious about returning to Thailand. He mentioned that a middle-aged Malaysian woman in England had offered assistance for his return via Malaysia, avoiding immigration checkpoints.
Following his arrest, Suraphit Pakahan was handed over to public prosecutors at the Don Mueang Kwaeng Court for legal action.