Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 60-year-old woman wanted in connection with the infamous UFUN Ponzi scheme has been arrested after more than a decade on the run. Ms Sasinkarn was apprehended by officers from The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) in Bang Na, Bangkok.

 

Ms Sasinkarn was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court in June 2015 on charges of “fraudulent public borrowing” and “participation in a transnational criminal organisation”. Authorities allege she played a significant role in luring victims to invest in UFUN, a company that operated under the guise of a direct sales and health product business but was, in reality, a classic pyramid scheme.

 

The UFUN scheme, which operated between 2013 and 2015, promised unusually high returns to investors and encouraged members to recruit new participants to earn commissions. Ms Sasinkarn was reportedly a prominent figure in the operation, delivering persuasive presentations and personally receiving over 19 million baht from investors. She is also believed to have transferred at least 5.2 million baht to affiliated companies.

 

Following the initial investigation, authorities discovered that Ms Sasinkarn had gone into hiding and later became a white-robed lay nun at a religious centre in Chachoengsao province. Although she evaded arrest once during a police raid, officers continued investigate her movements. Eventually, she was apprehended by authorities and was taken into custody for formal prosecution.

 

During interrogation, Ms Sasinkarn denied all charges and declined to provide testimony to the police, opting instead to contest the allegations in court.

 

The UFUN case is considered one of the largest Ponzi schemes in Thai history, with over 2,400 victims and total losses exceeding 356 million baht. The judicial process has already seen 32 individuals sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Supreme Court, following revisions made by the Appeal Court. Seven ringleaders were initially sentenced to 50 years, while 15 others received 20-year terms. The Supreme Court upheld convictions for 32 defendants and ordered them to collectively repay the full amount to the victims.

 

The arrest of Ms Sasinkarn marks a significant step forward in closing the chapter on a case that has haunted thousands of Thai citizens for over a decade. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to bringing all remaining fugitives to justice.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-10

 

 

 

UFUN turned out to be humourless for the investors . 356 million baht ripped off  ....an impressive figure ! 

Perhaps this is some kind of record  for Thailand   . Herbalife ?

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

became a white-robed lay nun at a religious centre in Chachoengsao province

clever place to hide

 

if there are guaranteed unusually high returns, it's a scam. 

 

20 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

UFUN turned out to be humourless for the investors . 356 million baht ripped off  ....an impressive figure ! 

Perhaps this is some kind of record  for Thailand   . Herbalife ?

No... the Rice scheme was the biggest riipoff ever..I think

6 minutes ago, thesetat said:

No... the Rice scheme was the biggest riipoff ever..I think

Probably but does that count since it was a  Government deal.?  There was also the engine less submarine... not sorted yet.

Well done Plod.

Better late than never.