Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering Committee' confirms that celebrities of 'The Icon' are also guilty, claiming ignorance and not being the boss, just being presenters. If it is found that there is fraud, the models may not be guilty because there are real products, but they must check whether the advertisements are exaggerated or deceptive. They are preparing to invite relevant agencies to clarify in the committee. Mr. Lertsak Pattanachaikul, MP for Loei, Pheu Thai Party, as Chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering and Narcotics Suppression Committee (AMLO), gave an interview about the progress of the ICON Group case, saying that there are now people claiming to be clear victims. Initially, from the information that has come in, the committee will not remain indifferent because this matter affects a considerable number of people. It will probably bring this matter to the committee to invite relevant agencies, such as the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB ), and may also give the executives of ICON Group an opportunity to come and clarify. If we look at the business model, it may seem like a pyramid scheme, but in reality, they have products and are actually selling them. Therefore, it may not be a pyramid scheme yet. However, we will look at it from the perspective of fraud, whether it is the use of celebrities as presenters or executives and deceiving the public, making them believe in certain facts incorrectly or not. Mr. Lertsak continued that if it falls under the category, it will be a fraud offense under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which will be the point to be taken. Assets must be seized, and the relevant agency is clearly the Anti-Money Laundering Office. Initially, on Wednesday (October 16), the committee will consider the information available first, and there may be a letter issued to the relevant agencies, including the executives of The Icon, the following week. When asked what examples of fraud in this case are, Mr. Lertsak stated that ri ght now, his business model seems to be at risk of being a pyramid scheme. But if we look at the facts, he really does have products and warehouses to store products. It's just that the payment method is first and then the products are received. If the products are actually delivered correctly, there's nothing wrong with it. But we have to see whether the advertisements of famous people are exaggerated or not, causing the general public to believe them, and whether the products are really of good quality or not, that would be another matter. When asked that people now believe that celebrities are the ones who run their own businesses and are the bosses themselves, if it is found that people are deceived and think like that, is the celebrity themselves at fault? Mr. Lertsak said that of course, they cannot claim that they did not know and are only presenters. If they are only presenters, they must also look at their intentions to see if they know the truth about the products they are presenters for. Because c elebrities are public figures that people are interested in, people may trust them. Therefore, they must check whether they are actually using them or not. Because if they are presented, it can also be a form of deception of the public. 'It is within the scope, but overall, we need to go into details about where it falls under the category of illegality and what kind of illegality. Is it related to fraud or pyramid schemes? If there is fraud and pyramid schemes, it will certainly be a basis for the offense under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which can seize assets to alleviate the damage to the people more than this,' said Mr. Lertsak.- Source: Thai News Agency
