Police will question 56 celebrities and net idols for their roles in promoting unlicensed food supplements and cosmetics under the Magic Skin brand.
Magic Skin Co had allegedly used them as presenters for its products, ranging from skincare to food supplements. The products had been sold online and through agents before the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) found some of them were unlicensed while others were not produced at places registered with the agency.
The FDA has suspended 266 products and posted the banned items on its website, according to its statement released on Monday. However, the list of the products was not available on the website as of Monday evening.
Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta said investigators need to question the celebrities before deciding whether they were simply paid to be the presenters or were directly involved in the business.
Thai-language Daily News on Monday named almost 30 actors, actresses and show hosts associated with the firm either by attending their events or advertising its products.
The celebrities were targeted after Saturday's raids on 13 locations by police in Bangkok and other locations. Products, cash and other items worth more than 20 million baht, including unlicensed cosmetics and other skincare products, were seized.
The operation was a follow-up after FDA officials and police cracked down on its office and main factory in Nakhon Ratchasima in February.
Magic Co was registered in Muang district, Nakhon Ratchasima, in 2012 with registered capital of 1 million baht by Wannapa Pongson, according to the FDA.
The raid followed complaints by consumers about exaggerated claims in advertisements and false labels, the FDA said.
Police said a number of people fell victim and ordered the products in bulk to be resold for quick cash after the products were endorsed by the celebrities between June last year and February this year. Shortly afterwards, the FDA suspended the products after the raid in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The ads claimed the products including Mezzo Soap, Mezzo Serum and Fern Vitamin were approved by the FDA, according to police.
Acting FDA secretary-general Somchai Preechathaveekid said in February after the raid in Nakhon Ratchasima that some buyers had complained about the side effects of some of the products, including rapid heartbeats and shaking hands.
The eight suspects linked to Magic Skin Co products wanted under arrest warrants on fraud charges were Ms Wannapa and her husband Korn Pongson, Maiyasit Sawangthammarat, Piniti Tiranawattuporn, Treechada Chaisabai, Kasit Worachingtan, Thananpan Bunyosit and Maturot Daengsamrit.
Six of them have surrendered to police, while Ms Thananpan and Ms Maturot are on the run.
Mr Maiyasit, Mr Piniti and Ms Treechada were later temporarily released and Mr Kasit is being questioned.
Ms Wannapa and Mr Korn were released on bail on a bond of 500,000 baht each on Monday evening. Kitja Aliishah, the lawyer for the couple, said his clients denied the allegations.