OCPB to publicise investment scams

OCPB to publicise investment scams
Website to give details of suspicious schemes as more people fall victim

Published on December 17, 2007


The Office of Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) is planning to publish warnings about fraudulent investment schemes on its website, www.ocpb.go.th, following a mushrooming of such scams recently.

"We will describe the suspicious schemes without identifying the company by name," OCPB secretary-general Rasamee Vistaveth said yesterday. "This should help stop people falling victim."

Fraudulent schemes have netted thousands of investors across the country. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is currently taking action against three Chiang Mai-based companies for swindling people out of their savings.

"There are up to 1,000 victims in the case against Ruamtun Kapleek Company Limited," said Colonel Piyawat Kingket, head of the DSI's Office of Special Criminal Cases.

In Khon Kaen, police yesterday disclosed that about 50 people, including many health officials, had lodged complaints against the Thanin Anan Company Limited.

"Each victim lost about Bt200,000 or Bt300,000 to the company," said Pol Lt-Colonel Ittipon Netthaisong, who is in charge of the case.

He said many people trusted the company because one of its executives, Pawitrarat Kaenjan, is the wife of a senior health official in province.

"We have heard that residents of other provinces have been duped by this company too," said Colonel Thawatchai Nilanuch, deputy chief of Khon Kaen police.

The Khon Kaen Court has already issued arrest warrants for the company's managing director, Amorn-ek Petchluechai, and Pawitrarat.

If convicted, they face up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of Bt1million.

Khon Kaen Governor Panchai Bavornrattanapran said his provincial government had already warned people to beware of suspicious investment schemes, especially those offering incredibly high profit rates.

"The high returns often come with high risks," he said.

Rasamee said consumers could come to OCPB if they discovered fraudulent investment schemes.

"After we receive the complaint, we will coordinate with relevant authorities and start investigations," she said.

She said any company or person found to be flouting the law faced arrest and investigation of their financial records.