Imposter posing as a relative of ex-police chief arrested in fraud case on Koh Phangan island

A 27-year-old woman has been arrested on Koh Phangan, in Surat Thani, for allegedly posing as a relative of former police chief Somyot Poompanmouang and defrauding a person of 1.27 million baht via a social media “investment” offer.

Anthika Kaeosrisook, a native of Koh Phangan, was arrested in front of the Asia Hotel on Wednesday under a warrant issued by the Criminal Court this month for posing as another person and putting false information into computer systems.

Pol Col Man Menyaem, a superintendent of the Crime Suppression Division, said Ms Anthika early this month invited other people via Facebook to invest through her in foreign funds and shares, promising lucrative returns, according to a complaint filed against her.

The complainant had contacted her via Line and Messenger chat applications. During those conversations the suspect claimed to share the family name of Pol Gen Somyot and to be his relative.

The complainant victim transferred money to her on several occasions. The total sum was about 1.27 million baht, Pol Col Man said.

The complainant later had second thoughts and demanded a refund. Ms Anthika had rejected the request and terminated their contact.

The suspect denied all charges. She was taken to Lat Phrao police station in Bangkok,  where the victim had filed the complaint.

Pol Col Man said she was also named in two previous warrants for alleged fraud in Chiang Mai and Krabi provinces.

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Photo credit @ Bangkok Post