The popular Thailand YouTuber is suspected of deceiving thousands of followers to deceive around $ 55 million through foreign exchange trade frauds that reportedly promised a large return on their investment.
Known as Nutty to his followers, Natthamon Khongchak attracted more than 847,000 customers to the YouTube channel where he posted a dance video. He also advertised a personal course for prospective forex traders on his Instagram account, posting pictures of what he said was the advantage.
More than 6,000 people gave Natthamon money to invest, the Nation newspaper reported, quoting a lawyer who helped dozens of alleged victims submitted complaints to Thai police. Followers are borne by a promise of return of 35% of their investment, the report said.
In his last Instagram post, in May, Natthamon said he owed 1 billion baht ($ 27.5 million) to investors. In the video, he claimed his broker had blocked his trading account and funds since March, but said he would try to pay the money.
Natthamon did not respond to direct messages sent to his Instagram account on Tuesday.
The Thai police unit involved in internet crime last week issued an arrest warrant for fraud against Natthamon, according to Wattana, he met, a police officer at the Cyber Criminal Investigation Bureau.
So far, the bureau has received complaints from 102 people who claimed they lost a total of 30 million Baht, he said. The new victims advanced almost every day, with most claiming to have lost tens of thousands of Baht, said Wattana. The amount can be higher, he said, because complaints may have been submitted to another police station.
While Natthamon has not been seen on social media since June, followers speculated that he fled the country, reported the country. However, immigration records show that he has not left Thailand, said Wattana.