Criminal Court sentenced defendants in “Nice Day Travel” Ponzi scheme and money laundering case, involving fraudulent wholesale fruit juice businesses and tourist accommodation arrangements, to 5 years in prison each, with 117 illegal transactions totaling over 157.8 million baht in circulation uncovered

Criminal Court sentenced defendants in “Nice Day Travel” Ponzi scheme and money laundering case, involving fraudulent wholesale fruit juice businesses and tourist accommodation arrangements, to 5 years in prison each, with 117 illegal transactions totaling over 157.8 million baht in circulation uncovered

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), through its Bureau of Illegal Financial Business, investigated special case no. 38/2560, involving allegations against “Nice Day Travel Co., Ltd.” and 5 others, totaling 6 persons, for jointly committing fraud. The suspects allegedly advertised to the public via the LINE application, falsely claiming to be engaged in the wholesale business of "Ivy" brand fruit juices, providing accommodation services for tourists, and selling dolls to tourists. The public was invited to invest in these businesses with the promise of a return of up to 240% per year on the invested amount. However, there was no actual business generating such income, resulting in damages to 98 complainants, with total losses exceeding 99 million baht. The Court of Appeal has issued a final judgment in Black Case No. 1294/2563 and Red Case No. 18070/2563, dated November 16, 2020, imposing a fine of 49 million baht on “Nice Day Travel Co., Ltd.” (the first defendant) and sentencing the defendants two to six, who are natural persons, to 490 years of imprisonment each for 98 counts of fraudulently borrowing money from the public, with each count carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment. However, the total imprisonment for defendants two to six was reduced to a maximum of 20 years each according to Section 91 (2) of the Criminal Code. All six defendants were also ordered to return or compensate the victims for the unpaid amount, plus interest at 15% per year on the principal from the date of borrowing. The case has become final.

In addition to the aforementioned case, the DSI has also taken action against offenders involved in transferring, receiving, or altering proceeds of crime under the charge of “money laundering” according to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, B.E. 2542 (1999) and its amendments, as Special Case No. 50/2561. The investigation has been completed, and the investigation file has been submitted to the Public Prosecutor, Department of Special Litigation, Office of the Attorney General. Three defendants have been prosecuted: 1. Mr. Parinya (surname withheld), 2. Ms. Jiratha or Fai (surname withheld), and 3. Mr. Wichai (surname withheld). The investigation revealed that there were 117 transactions involving money laundering, totaling over 157.8 million baht. These funds were used to purchase several assets, some of which have already been subject to civil judgments. Recently, on May 30, 2024, the Criminal Court issued a judgment in Black Case No. For 31/2566 and Red Case No. For 11/2567, sentencing each of the three defendants to 10 years of imprisonment. Since the defendants pleaded guilty, their sentences were reduced by half to 5 years each under Section 78 of the Criminal Code.

The DSI hereby publicizes the Criminal Court’s verdict, warning individuals involved in establishing “Ponzi schemes” that such cases carry severe and consecutive penalties of imprisonment for each count. In addition, individuals may face criminal charges for money laundering and asset seizure by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), as the assets are related to the predicate offenses under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, B.E. 2542 (1999). 

“The Bureau of Illegal Financial Business is currently developing a surveillance system for Ponzi scheme offenses on the internet using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to effectively prevent individuals from committing such crimes. Moreover, if you commit an offense, not only will you not have a chance to use the money, but your family will also suffer from the consequences," said Police Major Woranan Srilam, Director of the Bureau of Illegal Financial Business.

Police Major Woranan Srilam

Director of the Bureau of Illegal Financial Business