26.10.2024 14:40
Thai celebrity YouTuber Natthamon 'Nutty' Khongchak was arrested after defrauding over 6,000 people out of approximately $60 million. Khongchak, who presented himself as a foreign exchange investment expert and promised a 35% return, fled when the scheme was exposed in 2022. After hiding in Indonesia for two years, the YouTuber was caught when he failed to sing the national anthem during a passport application. Among the victims is a person who was saving money for university.
Thailand's famous YouTuber Natthamon "Nutty" Khongchak was caught after defrauding thousands of followers out of nearly 60 million dollars. The 32-year-old influencer's identity was revealed when he failed to sing the national anthem while hiding in Indonesia for two years.
At his peak, Khongchak had 800,000 followers and presented himself as a foreign exchange investment expert. By sharing videos showcasing his luxurious lifestyle on social media, the YouTuber gained people's trust and lured over 6,000 individuals into his trap with a promise of a 35% quick return.
The fraud scheme came to light in April 2022. Investors began reporting that they were not receiving the promised returns. Following this, Khongchak announced in a post on Instagram that he had "made a mistake in investment and lost all the money."
One of the victims said, "I lost 55 million dollars that I had saved to send my children to university. I thought the money promised by Nutty would provide us with a more comfortable life. Now I am sick with worry because I have lost everything."
Khongchak fled first to Malaysia with his secretary and then to a deserted island in Indonesia by boat. Two years later, while trying to obtain an Indonesian passport, officials who suspected his accent identified his true identity when he failed the national anthem test.
After being brought to Bangkok, Khongchak said, "I did not intend to escape. I apologize for embarrassing my country." However, the police arrested him and his secretary due to the stock fraud that caused more than 2 billion Baht (approximately 47 million pounds) in damages.