Bangkok: A representative of a victim has filed a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division after allegedly being deceived by a fraudulent agency exploiting the name of Petch Anon to lure individuals into the entertainment industry.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thanakun Jit-Isara, president of the Santi Prachadham Club, alongside Mr. Apirut Mingkwanta, known as Poj Anon, a renowned director, accompanied victims to report the incident at the Central Investigation Bureau's Complaint Center. The victims, who were misled into aspiring for celebrity status, have reportedly incurred losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of baht.
Ms. Suphattrawadi, one of the victims, recounted her experience of being contacted by the perpetrator via phone on October 10th, with an invitation to work in the entertainment sector. The job involved producing short videos for YouTube, for which she has yet to receive payment. Subsequently, she was asked to provide her bank account details under the pretense that other actors would transfer funds for performance-related expenses. Trusting the perpetrator, who claimed ties with Poj Anon and association with the globally recognized series "The White Lotus," she transferred money. It was only later that she realized no work had been publicly released, confirming her suspicions of deceit.
Meanwhile, Ms. Kae, the victim's guardian, described the perpetrators' tactics, which included engaging actors through Facebook groups before arranging phone calls for casting sessions at specified locations. The perpetrators required actors to purchase equipment, including costumes, with prices ranging from 10 to 1,000 baht. Payments were funneled through a clothing rental shop, which was used as a front. Ten victims have been identified in this scam.
Poj Anon emphasized that the claims of his involvement in such fraudulent activities are false. He clarified that he personally manages the casting of actors without intermediaries or fees, arranging meetings directly. Highlighting his busy schedule as a film director, he noted that he no longer seeks new talent and only manages a small group of actors. He distanced himself from the images alleged to be of the perpetrators, asserting the fraudulent nature of the claims.
Mr. Thanakun announced plans to bring approximately 30 victims, representing damages in the hundreds of thousands of baht, to file a fraud report with the Crime Suppression Division. He warned of criminals preying on individuals during school breaks, exploiting their aspirations to further their education. Expressing concern about the potential for more victims, he noted that the Poj Anon case is not isolated, with other prominent figures in the entertainment industry also being used as bait to deceive hopefuls.