BANGKOK, Thailand – The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Samart Janechaijittawanich, a former deputy spokesman for the Palang Pracharath Party, in connection with a money-laundering investigation tied to The iCon Group fraud case. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) alleges that the 41-year-old politician received funds from the group, a direct sales company accused of fraudulent activities.
The scandal gained attention following the release of an audio recording allegedly involving the CEO of The iCon Group, Warathaphon Waratyaworrakul, and a member of a non-MP House committee discussing a potential payoff to clear complaints against the company. The case has led to multiple arrests, including the CEO and prominent dealers, who face charges of public fraud, fraudulent borrowing, and computer-related crimes. The company’s operations primarily focused on selling dietary supplements through an extensive dealer network.
DSI officials have also questioned Samart’s mother, Wilawan Phutthasamrit, who was brought to the agency’s headquarters for interrogation. She reportedly stated that Samart was in Chiang Mai province and intended to surrender. Investigators continue to examine the company’s operations, which include international dealer networks and aggressive recruitment practices. Many new participants were persuaded to invest heavily in unsellable products, broadening the scope of the alleged fraud.
The fallout from The iCon Group’s activities has affected around 8,000 individuals, who collectively reported losses exceeding 2.4 billion baht. Authorities are intensifying their investigation to trace financial links and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable. (NNT)
