The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has seized assets worth more than 100 million baht from people allegedly connected with the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) embezzlement scam.
Phada Buakaw, another suspect connected to the King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang embezzlement scam, appears at a press briefing at the Crime Suppression Division yesterday. He was arrested at his home in Pathum Thani on Friday. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
Amlo secretary-general Seehanat Prayoonrat said a total of 178 assets were frozen, including deposits in 130 bank accounts, seven bundles of Government Savings Bank lottery tickets, two accommodation units, 30 properties, six cars and three motorcycles.
The seizure was important as these assets are easy to conceal or transfer to others, which may have impeded Amlo's efforts to track them in the future, Pol Col Seehanat said.
The assets belong to 21 entities, including Songklod Sriprasong, former manager of Bank of Ayudhya's Big C Srinakarin branch, Amporn Noisamrit, head of the KMITL's financial division, Poonsak Boonsawat, Kittisak Muttujad, Muttujad Co, Grandbucket Universal Service Co, Acting One Entertainment Co and the well-known actor Pakorn "Boy" Chatborirak.
The Amlo chief said the office is convinced Mr Songklod and Ms Amporn colluded to embezzle 1.1 billion baht from the KMITL.
"The Lamborghini that belongs to Mr Pakorn had to be seized because an irregularity was detected," Pol Col Seehanat said.
The actor bought the vehicle from Mr Kittisak for 13.5 million baht, which is unusually low, compared with the 20 million baht Mr Kittisak spent on the car with embezzled money, he said.
According to Pol Col Seehanat, the owners of all the frozen assets must come to testify before Amlo officers. If they are unable to suitably explain how they came to have their assets, approval will be sought from the court to confiscate them, he said.
Amlo has already issued orders to summon those connected to the frozen assets, he said.
Pol Col Seehanat said the assets are only the first batch to be frozen, adding that he believed many more assets are still hidden or have been transferred to others.
An investigation is under way to look at those who are not suspects but are linked to the case through their assets. There is a possibility their assets could also be frozen, he said. They must present evidence of how they obtained the assets within 30 days.
According to the Amlo chief, the probe found Ms Amporn directly obtained 53 million baht from 12 major money transactions involving the KMITL accounts.
Ms Amporn allegedly transferred 246 million baht to Mr Kittisak, who used the money to buy land, seven bundles of Government Savings Bank lottery tickets and luxury cars.
Meanwhile, a court yesterday issued arrest warrants for two more suspects, Phada Buakaw, who is close to Mr Kittisak, and Thawatchai Yimcharoen.
Mr Phada and Mr Kittisak were found be linked through money transactions, according to Crime Suppression Division (CSD) deputy chief Pol Col Nos Sawetlek.
Mr Phada was later arrested at his home in Pathum Thani yesterday afternoon. Mr Kittisak is believed to have fled abroad.
The CSD will work closely with Amlo to find ways to track and freeze more assets involved in the embezzlement case, Pol Col Nos said.