Thai police have arrested six suspects in an investment scam falsely claiming backing by US President Donald Trump and promising returns of up to 20 times the original investment.
Pol Maj Gen Thatphum Jarupat, commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECCD), said raids were conducted across Khon Kaen, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and Bangkok on Thursday.
The main suspect, Athinath (surname withheld), 57, and five accomplices were detained under warrants for fraud, deceptive loans, and introducing false information into computer systems. Authorities seized eight mobile phones, three laptops, a tablet, 22 bank books, 33 foreign authorisation documents, and a US$783.8 million "unblocking" certificate purporting to bear Mr Trump's signature.
The gang promoted a Nigerian oil fund scheme, attracting more than 13 million baht from victims. Investigations revealed the documents were forged, with funds circulated through 22 accounts and partly converted into digital assets.