Four female suspects have been arrested for their alleged involvement in farming scams that have caused 1.29 billion baht in losses for at least 2,000 victims, police have said.
Prapakorn Sangkrit, 25, Silsupha Noothong, 23, and Ananya Kenprakong, 23, were arrested by Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) police on Wednesday, CCIB commissioner Kornchai Klaiklueng told media yesterday.
The fourth woman, Nantawadee Nantasiri, 29, handed herself over to the police yesterday.
The four were among eight female suspects wanted on arrest warrants issued by Sakon Nakhon Provincial Court on Tuesday for allegedly colluding in fraud schemes, loan scams and disseminating false information into a computer system.
The four others -- Thannawat Chukiatsakunkrai, 26, Ploythita Niramitboonwat, 31, Thitaree Chadchawanthanawin, 29, and Chanthika Thongprom, 29 -- are still at large. It is understood that Ms Thitaree still remains in the country, while the other three have fled abroad.
Pol Lt Gen Kornchai said the suspects founded Mining Mine X company in November last year.
The women allegedly built farms across Muang district and lured victims into investment scams under the "turtle farm" project that included farms, such as mushrooms, cannabis plants, kratom and honey bees.
Many people fell victim to the scam and some also used their life savings to invest in the hope of high returns, before the suspects cut off contact, police said. Around 2,000 victims have filed complaints with the police.
Victims were promised large returns on investments with some being told they would earn 53,200 baht per month within seven years if they invested 132,000 baht upfront. Victims were told they'd begin receiving dividends after four months.
Contracts were drawn up while influencers were used in adverts to help make the scam appear credible.