Bangkok: DSI found “The Icon” guilty of pyramid scheme and direct selling law, preparing to add charges to 18 bosses and 1 juristic person. Pol. Lt. Col. Yuthana Phraedam, acting director-general of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), announced after a meeting of the special investigation team for the ICON Group case after asking for information and opinions from representatives of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Fiscal Policy Office (FPO). The investigators unanimously voted to add additional charges to the original 18 suspects and one juristic person for violating the Emergency Decree on Fraudulent Borrowing of Money from the People B.E. 2527 (1984) or pyramid schemes, and violating the Direct Sales and Direct Marketing Acts. Additional charges will be filed within this week and next week. In addition, a center has been set up and the investigation work has been divided, with additional government officials and special case consultants, experts in balance sheets and acc
ounting, to be appointed.
According to Thai News Agency, when questioned whether the celebrity boss who claimed non-involvement in the company structure was also guilty of pyramid schemes, Pol. Lt. Col. Yuthana stated that the investigator found a division of duties with the same purpose. Information from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board confirmed the inability to conduct business legally. At this stage, there is sufficient evidence to press charges of pyramid schemes. However, it is the legal right of the accused to fight further. The lawyer of The Icon Company claims over 2,400 witnesses will give statements to the DSI and ensure fairness, having prepared a witness list. Regarding the accused in the second batch, charges will be pressed against the first batch initially.
The DSI has classified the case of The Icon as a special case, in addition to the previous money laundering case and the Ponzi scheme case, which will be further reported. The chain Ponzi scheme will result in an increase in de
tention from 4 to 7.