Alleged victims of The iCon Group claim damages of 118 million baht
306 people report to police that they have been scammed by direct-sales company
A total of 306 people have reported that they have been scammed by direct-sales company The iCon Group to buy products for resale, with combined damages of some 118 million baht, the Royal Thai Police said on Saturday.
The RTP’s Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) on Thursday set up a centre to accept complaints from victims of The iCon Group.
The company reportedly has been using celebrities to sell online business courses at cheap prices, before persuading attendees to recruit new members and buy its products for resale, resulting in financial loss of several victims.
The CPPD has deployed more than 70 officials at the centre to facilitate people who wish to file the complaints, as police believed there could be several hundred victims, said Pol Col Uthen Nuipin, deputy police spokesman.
He added that on Saturday morning CCPD officials carrying search warrants from the Criminal Court raided nine locations in metropolitan Bangkok belonging to The iCon Group and its affiliates to find additional evidence.
Uthen said the search focused on documents detailing product procurement, sales and manufacturing to determine whether the company’s main income came from product sales or from crowdfunding from resellers.
The iCon Group’s founder and chief executive officer, Warathaphon “Paul” Waratyaworrakul, 41, on Saturday posted on social media that his company is preparing evidence and information to prove the transparency of its business operations.
He added that the company would establish a relief centre for those affected by its business activities, regardless of the result of the legal case.
“This centre will provide humanitarian assistance and demonstrate the group’s social responsibility,” the CEO said. “We are determining the direction of the relief efforts and will invite trusted individuals to participate in discussions about this direction.”
