Manhunt on after Myanmar scam dupes 100

Manhunt on after Myanmar scam dupes 100

Fake royal believed on the run in border area

Victims of an investment fraud scheme wait to give their statements at the Department of Special Investigation in Bangkok's Laksi district. They say they were lured into investing in dozens of megaprojects in Myanmar's Mon state. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
Victims of an investment fraud scheme wait to give their statements at the Department of Special Investigation in Bangkok's Laksi district. They say they were lured into investing in dozens of megaprojects in Myanmar's Mon state. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is widening its probe into an investment fraud involving multi-million-baht infrastructure projects in Myanmar while a manhunt is under way for a person masquerading as a royal descendant there believed to be running the scam.

DSI deputy director-general Pol Maj Suriya Singkamol said a group of state officials and news reporters are being investigated for alleged connection with the fraud as the victims began giving statements to authorities yesterday.

According to Pol Maj Suriya, the officials are tracking down a Myanmar national identified as U Kyaw Myint Oo, better known as Chao Thepyothin by the victims. He is one of three suspects behind the scam who are said to have lured over 100 investors into dozens of megaprojects in Myanmar's Mon state.

Two Thai nationals, Supattha Chantarangsi and Kosin Jina-on, were arrested on Thursday on suspicion of being involved, he said. Mr Kosin was identified by the DSI as the editor of a news magazine.

Ms Supattha claimed to be the managing director of Hujjee Group, which formed a partnership with a Myanmar firm to invest in infrastructure development projects such as airports and a government office complex.

The Myanmar company was represented by Chao Thepyothin, who claims to be of royal descent in Mon state.

"Chao Thepyothin is believed to be hiding in Myanmar. We've asked security authorities there and Interpol to help track him down. An arrest is expected soon," Pol Maj Suriya said.

"The DSI also has a message for Chao Thepyothin, who seems to be confused about his status and is threatening to sue the DSI: We have an arrest warrant for you," he said.

The scam seems to have begun two years ago.

DSI officials examined seized documents and found them to be entirely fabricated. Hujjee Group, for example, claimed to have registered capital of 500 billion baht.

Pol Maj Suriya said the victims, mostly construction business operators, were also persuaded to become members of a charity foundation with links to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and make donations in exchange for jobs or the accompanying titles.

People who donated 50,000 baht would be awarded the rank of police major general while 80,000 baht would earn them the rank of police lieutenant general.

"The donors received two sets of uniforms and rank decorations they could wear to charity events hosted by these companies. That explains why we see people wearing strange uniforms on social media," Pol Maj Suriya said.

He said the secretary-general of the foundation, a retired police officer who was not identified, gave statements to the DSI and claimed to have been duped by the gang.

The retired officer was charged with falsifying official documents because the RTP never gave permission to the charity to use its name and was not involved in its activities, said the DSI deputy chief.

Mr Chanont, one of the victims, said yesterday he designed projects and signed construction contracts with Hujjee Group worth 20 million baht but the projects never took off.

He said he was promised a return of up to 300 million baht for every 100,000 to 200,000 baht he invested.

He urged investors to file complaints with the DSI or risk criminal charges for complicity.

Chao Thepyothin is believed to be hiding along the Thai-Myanmar border and he is now being sought by the New Mon State Party.

Sources say he and Ms Supattha oversaw the launch of a centre in Kanchanaburi on June 23 with some police.

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