The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) has decided to seize a "bargain priced" Lamborghini earlier impounded from popular TV actor Pakorn "Boy" Chatborirak, ruling it was acquired by the vendor with criminal gains.
The actor admitted he bought the Lamborghini from a man who is now a major suspect in the high-profile financial theft scandal at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang campus (KMITL) for only 13.5 million baht -- way below the list price.
Amlo chief Seehanart Prayoonrat on Thursday said Amlo’s committee on financial transactions had resolved to seize the luxury car Pakorn purchased from Kittisak Muttajad, a key suspect in the 1.58-bilion-baht embezzlement.
Mr Kittisak, who has reportedly fled overseas, had embezzled money from KMITL and used some of it to buy the car, which was later resold to the actor, said Pol Col Seehanart.
As the car, which was initially impounded, was found to have been initially acquired with money derived illegally under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, it must be confiscated.
However, the actor could continue to use the car if he first placed a money guarantee as surety, said the Amlo secretary-general. Amlo’s appraisers would assess the size of the guarantee based on the market price, not on the price the actor paid for the vehicle.
Pakorn could petition the court to verify his purchase of the car, said the Amlo chief.
The actor had earlier submitted documents about the car deal and explained the purchase to Amlo. Although the investigation showed Pakorn was not involved in the embezzlement, the Lamborghini was found to have been bought with money laundered by Mr Kittisak, said Pol Col Seehanart.
Amlo will contact the actor to formally hand over the car.
The committee also resolved to seize 22 more assets worth about 192 million baht from Mr Kittisak’s companies and other suspects. The seized assets comprise land, vans, airconditioned tour buses, luxury cars and bank accounts.
Among the seized assets is Street Pub & Restaurant, operated by Mr Kittisak. The business is believed to be worth about 100 milion baht.