A Thai woman is on the run after being accused of scamming nearly 3,000 people out of 861 million baht (US$28.3m) through a Ponzi scheme. Wantanee Tippaveth, known as Mae Manee, allegedly promised investors returns of 93% and used a fake gold shop in Udon Thani to project an image of wealth.
Police raided the shop on Friday, finding little more than a counter in an office-style room. Tippaveth had posted photos of herself flaunting gold jewellery and mingling with celebrities to lure victims. Her boyfriend, Metee Chinpa, 20, has also been charged with financial misdemeanours.
Thai authorities have frozen Tippaveth’s assets as they search for her, but she has taunted them on social media, posting: “Jail is for people who aren’t fighters, and I’m a fighter.” She also claimed she was the victim of slander. The Department of Special Investigation said the case has a 20-year statute of limitations.
The case has prompted protests from victims of a similar alleged Ponzi scheme, Forex 3D, who demanded action from the authorities outside the DSI’s headquarters in Bangkok. Lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch said up to 30,000 people may have fallen victim to Forex 3D.
