'Scammer' nabbed after 2 years on the run

A 34-year-old key suspect in a gold investment scam which caused estimated damages of almost 40 million baht has been arrested after almost two years on the run, police said Saturday.

Wanpen Khottakae, also known as Kawinna Kanyakornsakul, was arrested at a house in Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district on Friday, said Pol Maj Gen Teeradej Thumsutee, a commander attached to the Police Cyber Taskforce.

He said the woman faces a total of 61 arrest warrants for allegedly defrauding more than 200 people from late 2020 to early 2021.

The suspect on Facebook claimed she could acquire gold at cheap prices and urged people to join her gold investment scheme in which they were promised high returns, police said.

The victims received the returns as promised and helped promote the scheme. In time honoured fashion, Ms Wanpen disappeared with their money after a while, with losses estimated at no less than 37 million baht.

Fraud complaints were lodged with police leading to 61 warrants being issued for her arrest.

After almost two years, police tracked her down at a house in Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district and made the arrest, Pol Maj Gen Teeradej said.

She was charged with defrauding people and causing massive financial damage.