A woman, fraught with frustration, shared her misadventure with The iCon Group, an alleged online business scam, as she joined a group of about 20 individuals to lodge a fraud complaint with the Consumer Protection Police in Bangkok. Her tale is a cautionary one, featuring the intriguing role of celebrities and the pernicious allure of easy wealth.
The iCon Group, once revered as a bastion of online business acumen, now finds itself under the scrutinizing glare of fraud allegations. A distinguished lawyer, brimming with confidence, claims that some of the famous personas within its ranks could soon face charges for orchestrating what appears to be a pyramid scheme. On a bustling Thursday, twenty spirited individuals trekked to the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) office, guided by their legal champion, Raphatsit Phattarasirichaisin, a passionate advocate for social justice.
One of the unfortunate investors recounted her journey to reporters. She had been captivated by enticing advertisements from The iCon Group broadcasted on television and social media. These promotions offered an opportunity to enroll in an online business course, an opportunity seemingly too good to pass up, especially at the jaw-droppingly low price of just 98-99 baht.
With interest piqued, she enrolled and immersed herself in a three-day adventure of business training. However, her enthusiasm waned when, post-course, mentors pitched a hefty membership fee of 2,500 baht, a prerequisite to access and sell their products. The promise was clear: pay up, and the keys to dazzling marketing strategies awaited.
Add spice to the mix, and you find celebrities—a trio of glitz and glamor figures gracing event stages, dubbed as “bosses” rather than mere product endorsers. Each event required a further outlay of 1,500 baht, a toll she willingly paid in hopes of business triumph.
At one stage, when her purse strings tightened, she was pushed to seek financial aid from banks to sustain her budding venture. Eager for success, she funneled all savings and maxed out her credit cards into the venture.
The plot twist arrived when she discovered that these investments weren’t for tangible products. Instead, they funded advertisements to lure others into becoming dealers or clients. Her compensation came from recruitment, a vague shade of the original promise of learning product sales.
Suspicion brewed. Neither she nor her fellow trainees learned to sell actual products, only how to bring others into the tantalizing web of investment. As debts soared and an unsold product pile grew, despair set in.
Another heart-wrenching story emerged from a man on the brink, contemplating the unfathomable after plunging 200,000 baht of borrowed money into the company.
Both these individuals form part of a larger group, approximately 500 people steered astray, according to their legal advocate, Mr. Raphatsit. He fervently urged the police to uncover whether The iCon Group’s operations veer into public fraud or pyramid scheme territory.
Previous complaints with authorities had vanished into bureaucratic oblivion, the victims’ voices muted. Others sought solace in influential negotiations with The iCon Group, some walking away with only half their original investment returned after signing agreements promising silence.
Yet, despite prior verdicts from the Office of the Consumer Protection Board that absolved the firm of legal wrongdoing, Mr. Raphatsit insists on a deeper probe.
In parallel, celebrity lawyer Decha Kittiwitthayanan led another faction to file similar complaints. Rumor has it that high-profile figures linked to the firm could soon face legal consequences, although names remain under wraps.
The iCon Group’s portfolio, spanning health supplements and camouflaging itself with the smile of Thai celebrities like Yuranunt “Sam” Pamornmontri, Kan Kantathavorn, and Pechaya “Min” Wattanamontree, dangles dreams and elusive profit margins.
Thankhun Jitt-itsara, another victim advocate, declared the firm’s information dissemination shallow and deceptive, luring victims initially with a meager 97 baht course fee and subsequently escalating investments to 250,000 baht for those aspiring to be part of a sales empire, all under the illusion of future riches.
For many, the gamble resulted in crushing losses—an average of 500,000 baht—leaving over 500 individuals seeking refuge and redemption through legal means, as per Thankhun’s account.
The saga stirred a digital storm. The mystery deepened as news anchor Kanchai “Noom” Kamnerdploy sparked public interest, hinting at a scandal infiltrating a renowned direct sales company that, it seems, has entrapped top Thai celebrities to peddle illusions of prosperity.
True or not, the tales of unfulfilled promises and shattered dreams remain undeniable.
This story is a classic example of why we should always research thoroughly before investing. It’s shocking how easily people are swayed by celebrity endorsements and slick marketing!
Sure, but people should also use common sense when something sounds too good to be true. You can’t just blame the celebs!
True, but celebrities have a responsibility, too. They should know better than to endorse potential scams.
Both of you make valid points. People need to be educated financially and celebs should endorse with caution.
Isn’t it fascinating how these pyramid schemes keep evolving? This whole case is just a new chapter in the history of financial frauds.
I find it hard to believe that people still fall for these traps. Haven’t we learned anything from past schemes?
Unfortunately, greed blinds people, and when times are tough, even the most ‘obvious’ scam can seem tempting.
I guess desperation does make people take risks. It’s just so tragic.
Interesting how Kanchai ‘Noom’ Kamnerdploy is involved in this discussion. His influence might bring more attention to the issue.
The saddest part is the victims who are left with nothing. This goes beyond financial loss—it’s about trust and lives shattered.
True, but with more awareness, hopefully, others won’t fall prey to similar scams.
I hope so, too. It’s just a shame it takes these tragedies for people to wake up.
These celebs should be investigated thoroughly. They should face consequences if they knowingly participated in these schemes.
Agreed! They’re not just innocent bystanders. They play a role in deceiving people.
Hold on, let’s not jump to conclusions. Sometimes these endorsements are based on bad advice.
It’s appalling how these scams manipulate people under the guise of business opportunities. We need stricter regulations!
Yes, but regulations are only as good as their enforcement. We need both!
The government’s inaction on previous complaints is more disturbing. It’s like they never learn or care enough.
Agreed, and that negligence is almost like collusion. Action speaks louder, and silence here is deafening.
What a rollercoaster of a story! I just hope those who lost money get some justice or at least a portion of their money back.
I wanted to take this course at first; thank God I didn’t. It’s sad to see a dream crumble this way.
I don’t get how people can trust companies like this after so many similar scams in the past. Always check for red flags, folks!
Exactly! It’s 2024, and yet people keep making the same mistakes. Crazy, right?
I blame those glossy ads on social media. They’re so convincing and make everything look legit.
Social media is a powerful tool, but it’s also ripe for manipulation. We need to critically analyze content before buying into it.
Raphatsit Phattarasirichaisin’s fight is inspiring. We need more lawyers like him taking on these giant scams.
It’s all a tangled web. Once you’re in, it’s almost impossible to get out without losing something—financially or mentally.
Too true. The emotional toll is something we never really talk about, but it’s very real.