Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

An entire district in Udon Thani has been left reeling after dozens of residents reported being swindled in an alleged investment scam involving a local funeral fund officer. The estimated losses exceed 100 million baht, with victims including the elderly, working-age adults and even teenagers.

 

On 5 August, nearly 50 residents from various subdistricts in Kut Chap District gathered at Kut Chap Police Station to file formal complaints and record their statements. The case has drawn the attention of senior officers, including Police Colonel Amarin Uyen, the station’s superintendent, who met personally with the victims.

 

At the centre of the scandal is 43-year-old Ms. Kom, a resident of Tan Lian Subdistrict, who allegedly convinced locals to invest or lend money under the pretense that it was needed temporarily to cover funeral contributions for clients of a local bank-affiliated welfare fund. She reportedly promised generous interest returns and assured lenders that funds would be returned within a week or a month.

 

Initially, some villagers received interest payments, which encouraged further lending. However, those payments eventually stopped, and Ms. Kom allegedly became unreachable. Individual losses range from tens of thousands to millions of baht, with one person reportedly losing as much as 14 million baht.

 

Ms. Kom, believed to be a funeral fund officer at a local financial institution, reportedly exploited her position of trust within the community. One particularly heart-wrenching case involves 60-year-old Ms. Nun, whose daughter working abroad had sent her 1.3 million baht for safekeeping. Ms. Nun said she gave the money to her niece, Ms. Kom, believing it would be safe and used for a good cause.

 

“She’s my niece, and I trusted her. She never showed any sign she would do something like this,” Ms. Nun said tearfully. “Now I can’t sleep. All the money my daughter worked so hard for in Korea is gone.”

 

Ms. Nun revealed that when she recently confronted Ms. Kom after her discharge from hospital, the accused refused to speak. Ms. Kom’s parents reportedly told victims to take legal action if they wanted compensation, stating they would not take responsibility for their daughter’s actions.

 

Several victims say they were given loan agreements or receipts. Some transferred money via bank accounts, while others handed over large sums in cash, with photographic proof of the handovers. Villagers described Ms. Kom as persuasive, well-presented, and active on social media, where she frequently livestreamed sales and gained a following in the community.

 

Police have confirmed that complaints have been filed from nearly every subdistrict in Kut Chap. Colonel Amarin stated that officers are documenting each case and will proceed with legal action. Victims are also preparing civil suits in an attempt to recover their losses.

 

The case is ongoing and is being closely watched by authorities amid growing concerns about fraud targeting rural communities.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-08-07

 

 

 

Surprised, not.

 

TIT.

 

Hub of criminal activity.

 

Even family, friends and neighbours are not safe from Thailand's criminal culture.