The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has confiscated assets worth more than 100 million baht from suspects in the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) embezzlement scandal,including a TV star's Lamborghini.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has examined assets seized from suspects involved in the embezzlement scandal at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) and decided to confiscate 178 assets worth more than 100 million baht. (Bangkok Post file photo)
The Lamborghini was bought by TV actor Pakorn "Boy" Chatborirak from one of the suspects in the huge billion-baht cash theft for a bargain 13.5 million baht.
Amlo chief Pol Col Sihanart Prayoonrat on Friday announced the asset seizures, which he said followed an examination of money trails and financial transactions of two key suspects - Amporn Noisamrit, head of the KMITL’s financial division, and Songklod Sriprasong, former manager of Bank of Ayudhya’s Big C Srinakarin branch - and others involved.
It is alleged that 1.155 billion baht was siphoned from the KMITL’s accounts by the accused and their accomplices.
An examination so far had uncovered a total of 178 assets worth over 100 million baht in total and acquired by offences committed under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, said Pol Col Sihanart.
The seized items included 130 deposit accounts, seven Government Savings Bank special lotteries, 30 land plots and buildings, two condominium units, six cars and three motorcycles.
Pol Col Sihanart said those assets were in the possession of 21 people and companies. Among those people is the TV actor known as "Boy", who reportedly purchased a Lamborghini from Kittisak Muttujad, one of the suspects.
‘’In the case of Pakorn, his Lamborghini has to be confiscated as some irregularities in the purchase deal were found.
"The actor purchased the car from Mr Kittisak, who embezzled money from the KMITL and used the money to buy the vehicle, which cost 20 million baht. The suspect later sold it to Mr Pakorn for 13.5 million baht, the selling price was unusually low.
‘’The car owner must clarify the vehicle's purchase to the Amlo investigating committee. If he can provide a clear explanation, it will be removed from the list of assets to be confiscated.
"If he fails to provide a sound explanation, a court order will be sought for the seizure of the car," the Amlo chief said.
Amlo had already issued summonses for 21 people and companies, requiring that they clarify the sources of their money and assets and produce the evidence within 30 days, he said.
Pol Col Sihanart said the 178 items seized were only the first batch of assets found to have been acquired under offences outlawed by the anti-money laundering legislation.
He believed there were more assets purchased using the embezzled university money and that they were hidden or transferred to other people. Amlo would extend its investigation and seize additional assets.
The TV actor earlier turned up at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) office to make a statement after police found he bought the luxury car from Mr Kittisak.
Pakorn presented two passbooks showing three months of financial records. Investigators said they had not found evidence he was involved in the embezzlement.
There were reports that the CSD had asked Interpol to help hunt down Mr Kittisak. The fugitive is now believed to have fled from Kong Kong. Police are currently trying to determine his whereabouts.
The scandal drew media and public attention nationwide after the KMITL discovered huge financial irregularities in its accounts between 2012 and 2014.
The management filed a complaint with the CSD in December against Songklod and Ms Amporn. Police also pressed charges of document forgery, theft and money laundering against six alleged accomplices.
Of the six suspects, police have arrested two, Poonsak Boonsawat and Jariwat Sahapornudomkarn.
Police said later on Friday that another suspect in the embezzlement scandal was caught on Friday.
Pada Buakhao, a close aide of Mr Kittisak, was apprehended shortly after arrest warrants for him and another suspect, identified as Thawatchai Yimcharoen, were approved by the court.