Bangkok: The Department of Business Development (DBD) is strongly warning "signature certifiers" to be aware of their responsibility for the registration of legal entities. This is due to the discovery of instances where nominee groups, fraudsters, and shady funds are using the digital legal entity registration system (DBD Biz Regist) to establish companies and engage in illegal activities. These activities include opening surrogate accounts and nominee companies, and instances where certifiers fail to comply with regulations, such as refusing to allow applicants to sign or sharing their usernames/passwords. This results in registration or changes to directors without the applicant's knowledge. The DBD emphasizes that certifying false signatures or failing to comply with regulations is a civil and criminal offense and may lead to the revocation of certification rights. The DBD urges the public and relevant parties to carefully screen and submit applications to enhance transparency and prevent corruption.
According to Thai News Agency, the Department of Business Development is cracking down on "nominees, fraudsters, and shady capital" that use the business registration process to commit illegal acts. It has been found that the use of the digital corporate registration system (DBD Biz Regist) is being exploited as a channel to establish legal entities for committing crimes. Examples of wrongdoing include opening fraudulent bank accounts for corporations and nominee companies to facilitate fraud.
The certifying officer has the crucial responsibility of ensuring that the applicant for registration has signed in their presence, thereby preventing forgery or impersonation. The department discovered cases where the certifying authority "did not allow the applicant to sign in person" as per the established criteria. Some users have shared their usernames and passwords with others, which violates the terms and conditions of the system. There are cases where the named individual does not cooperate or is unaware of the matter, resulting in the registration of a company or changes in directors without the consent of the named individual.
The department clearly stated that certifying a false signature or failing to comply with the regulations is an offense for which the certifier is liable both civilly and criminally. They are preparing measures to revoke the rights of those who commit misconduct and request guarantors to verify and screen individuals who contact them before providing guarantees.