One could argue there’s nothing more alarming than a false promise, especially when it relates to our health. Unfortunately, today, we unravel a deceitful scheme led by Vietnamese investors who were caught red-handed, profiteering from a specialized milk powder product with misleading health benefits. A meticulously planned operation by the esteemed Royal Thai Police (RTP) exposed the perpetrators, ultimately turning their multi-million baht scheme into a regrettable nightmare.
Emblazoned on the forefront of this crusade against these fraudulent practices was Police Lieutenant Colonel Witya Sripaoprapha, the stout-hearted RTP Commander. His associate, Police Lieutenant Colonel Supachai Poomhaem, the 4th Battalion Commander of the RTP, along with representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, spearheaded this operation. It resulted in the exposure of this deceptive international network catering to a gullible market with unfounded health promises.
Ironically, their product was more than just milk powder. It was masqueraded as a medical marvel, promising heart and blood vessel protection, diabetes prevention, enhanced intellectual capacity, rapid joint and shoulder pain relief, as well as a preventative measure against osteoporosis and numbness. Furthermore, these alleged health miracles were wrapped within the guise of a US-certified import, providing an additional layer of faux authenticity to their marketing strategy.
Adding insult to injury was their unauthorised use of the revered former national football player Piyapong Pue-on’s image. The network leveraged his image rights to falsely endorse their product, which swung the purchase decision in their favour for countless spectators of the beautiful game.
Prior to executing this operation, the RTP managed to collect enough evidence against the fraudulent activities tied to the sale of this specific brand of milk powder. Their due diligence led them to a commercial building and two residences in Chon Buri province, where, to their disbelief, they discovered an enormous stash of unregistered milk powders, supplements, traditional medicine, medical devices, and various other equipment. With over 43,000 items seizured, the value of these illegal goods stood at a staggering 40 million baht.
Further investigations revealed a direct connection of the suspects to a Vietnamese investor, adding another chapter to this tangled tale. The products were clandestinely imported from Vietnam and stored in various rented locations, ready to be shipped out upon order. As someone would place an order through the page admin, personnel, including Vietnamese nationals, readied and delivered the parcels to unsuspecting customers, just like clockwork.
The operation led to the capture of eight Vietnamese nationals involved in the scam, facing charges ranging from the sale of improperly labelled food products to operating without legal work permits. Furthermore, financial investigation of the suspect group revealed a whopping 175 million baht worth of transactions within their accounts, all accumulated within just three months.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Witya made it clear: the hunt doesn’t end here. The authorities remain committed to bringing the investor and anyone else involved in this deceptive trade to justice. The judgment day for those who exploit gullible consumers with false health benefits is not far. It’s a clear message: justice has a long arm, and it will reach you, no matter how deeply you’re buried within your fortified walls of deception.
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