Bangkok: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and prosecutors convened their inaugural meeting concerning the second phase of "The Icon" case following the Attorney General's mandate to indict "Boss Meen" and "Boss Sam." The case involves over 2,535 victims both within Thailand and internationally, with reported damages amounting to 686 million baht.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Wacharin Phanurat, the Director-General of the Investigation Division at the Office of the Attorney General, led the meeting alongside his prosecutorial team with key figures from the DSI. This included Pol. Lt. Col. Wisanu Chimtrakul, Deputy Director-General of DSI, and several directors from divisions specializing in consumer protection, non-systemic financial crimes, and money laundering. The focus of the session was the strategic planning for interviewing additional victims and examining the circumstances related to the accused, stemming from an expanded probe into the Icon Co., Ltd.
The DSI has categorized this investigation into two special cases. Special Case No. 17/2568 seeks to investigate victims outside Thailand who invested in Icon Co., Ltd., involving 30 victims from 13 countries, incurring damages totaling 9.44 million baht. To date, investigators have interviewed 10 victims, with one withdrawing their complaint, leaving 19 victims pending under the Merchant-Assisted Criminal Procedure Act (MLAT). Special Case No. 18/2568 pertains to interviewing victims within Thailand who were not included in the initial investigation, involving 2,505 victims with damages summing up to 677 million baht.
In the meeting, Mr. Wacharin stated that the session addressed offenses committed by The Icon Group Co., Ltd., including fraudulent public borrowing and deception. These offenses, conducted outside Thailand, are punishable under Thai law. With charges filed against Boss Min and Boss Sam domestically, the Attorney General and the DSI Director-General are in agreement to proceed with indictments. Domestically, all suspects, including 18 individuals and one legal entity, have been charged. The next step involves summoning Boss Min and Boss Sam for indictment in the Criminal Court, with the DSI set to pursue them if they remain elusive.
Mr. Wacharin further elaborated that, with the conclusion of the first case, Special Case 17/2568 concerning victims outside Thailand is ready to advance. Complaints by international victims necessitate separate case files for interviews. The Attorney General's directive is for prosecutors to collaborate with the DSI, differing from the first case where the DSI independently completed investigations and filed charges. This collaborative meeting marks the first of its kind.
The agenda also included discussions on the cases of Bosmin and Bossam, planning victim interviews overlooked initially in Thailand, and those abroad, including countries like Japan, Sweden, and Australia. The meeting aimed to decide whether to conduct interviews abroad, have victims travel to Thailand, appoint representatives, or utilize international criminal cooperation laws.
The approach is to assess original offenses while distinguishing them by victim count and the frequency of fraud occurrences.