The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) is investigating an alleged female con artist who is believed to have lodged several false theft complaints against her own housekeepers.
The move came after Praphawan Jaikla, 19, and her parents, accompanied by lawyer Songkan Atchariyasap, chairman of the Network Against Acts that Destroy Kingdom, Religion and Monarchy, submitted a petition with CSD deputy chief Chakrit Sawasdee seeking justice on June 21.
Ms Praphawan said her former employer, Montra Yokrattanakan, also known as Ying Kai, who claimed to be a khunying and wife of a police lieutenant-colonel, filed a false complaint with Pracha Chuen police, accusing Ms Praphawan and her mother, Praphaporn Thongfueng, of stealing 40 gold bars, a gold ornament and a diamond necklace worth more than 10 million baht on March 18 last year.
Ms Praphawan said she worked with her mother, who was a maid at Ying Kai's house at the National Housing Authority's Pracha Niwet Building 1 in Chatuchak district, to earn extra income while waiting for an entrance exam result in March last year.
At the time, Ms Montra tried to persuade her to work in Hong Kong, claiming she would make good money there.
However, after Ms Praphawan turned down the offer and left the house with her mother without notifying Ms Montra, she was arrested by police, who had CCTV footage of the two carrying their bags as they left Ms Montra's house.
Ms Praphawan was detained at Ban Pranee for Girls for almost two months.
Police were unable to wrap up the case and released her.
Ms Praphawan said her dealings with police became an obstacle for her as a first-year student at Kasetsart University's campus in Sakon Nakhon.
Ms Praphawan decided to seek help from Mr Songkan's network, saying her family will also file a legal complaint against Ms Montra for lodging a false report against her with police.
Apart from Ms Praphawan, there are four other alleged victims who face legal action as a result of Ms Montra's complaints at Pracha Chuen police station, Mr Songkan said.
Among them is Waritchaya Boonsoonheng, 21, of Samut Prakan, whose mother, Sukanya Sirimuang, 54, was accused by Ms Montra of stealing cash and valuables worth 3.26 million baht last year after Ms Sukanya refused an employment offer in Hong Kong.
Ms Waritchaya, accompanied by Mr Songkan, on Tuesday also lodged a petition against Ms Montra with the CSD, saying her mother, who also worked as Ms Montra's maid, was currently serving a jail term at Klong Prem Remand Prison after the case was brought to court.
Mr Songkan urged authorities to investigate criminal cases which Ms Montra has filed against people and find out if police improperly helped the cases.
A CSD source said Ms Montra has changed her name several times.
She was previously known as Suchada Yokwiriyakul and Wanthanee Yokwiriyakul.
Meanwhile, Pol Col Chakrit advised that Ms Praphawan will testify to CSD officers on Friday.
The CSD will also accompany her parents to submit evidence which might prove they did not commit the theft as claimed by Ms Manata.
CSD investigators questioned Ms Sukanya at Klong Prem Remand Prison on Wednesday as they build their case.
Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Thitirat Nongharnphithak said he has ordered the CSD to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.
He said it was vital as it concerned several people who had protested their innocence but were put behind bars.