Cops debunk fraud suspect Pasist's story

Cops debunk fraud suspect Pasist's story

Sin Sae Shogun
Sin Sae Shogun

Police believe the Hong Kong financier referred to by alleged fraudster Pasist Arinchayalapis, alias Sin Sae Shogun, as her financial backer is a fictional character created to divert the attention of investigators, according to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

CIB commissioner Thitirat Nongharnpitak said yesterday that investigators have reason to believe the Hong Kong financier, who Ms Pasist says was her financial backer, does not exist.

The financier was a character the suspect had created to divert the police's attention and the suspect was trying to find someone to shift the blame on, said Pol Lt Gen Thitirat. Police are continuing with their investigation to fill in the gaps in the case.

Ms Pasist is accused of cheating people in a holiday sales scam.

Investigators have also been questioning actors and actresses as well as other celebrities who were brought in to make the scam look credible.

Investigators yesterday questioned representatives of Thai Airways International (THAI) and Cathay Pacific, operators of the charter flights mentioned in the tour programme by Ms Pasist.

The probe found there were no chartered flights to Japan as promised.

Besides the two carriers, police will also question representatives of state-owned Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (Aerothai), which oversees air traffic.

So far, about 500 victims nationwide have lodged complaints against Ms Pasist, Pol Lt Gen Thitirat said.

He said police have frozen Ms Pasist's assets worth more than 10 million baht, mostly cash, adding that police were compiling evidence to issue arrest warrants for more suspects involved in the case.

Meanwhile, Nitisak Meekhuad, Ms Pasist's lawyer, yesterday said his client has not submitted a bail request yet as she was gathering surety and wanted the lawyer to gather evidence to defend her in court.

The lawyer was speaking after visiting Ms Pasist, who is currently being detained at the Central Women's Correctional Institution.

Ms Pasist, an executive of WealthEver Co, was nabbed for public fraud in Ranong on April 12.

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