The two-year long manhunt for Thai influencer Natthamon Khongchak, known as ‘Nutty’, has come to an end with her arrest in Indonesia. Nutty and her mother, Thaniya Khongchak, were apprehended in the Dumai town of Riau province on October 18, 2024, facing multiple arrest warrants in Thailand related to a financial scam.
The influencer rose to fame through her YouTube channel, ‘Nutty’s Diary,’ showcasing her dance and singing skills, particularly recreating scenes from popular K-pop groups Blackpink and BTS. With over 800,000 subscribers, she garnered a substantial following. However, her popularity took a sinister turn as she leveraged her audience base to transform into an ‘investment guru.’
In July 2022, Nutty launched a forex investment scheme that promised her followers astronomical returns: 25% in three months, 30% in six months, and 35% in a year, with monthly payouts. This lucrative proposition lured thousands of investors into her scheme, but the promised returns never materialized. Instead, the investors were left empty-handed, losing nearly 2 billion baht (approximately $59 million).
As the losses mounted, Nutty and her mother fled Thailand along with their secretary, Nichaphat Rattanukrom, leaving behind a trail of devastated investors. Despite the influencer’s attempts to explain the missing funds, citing losses from trading strategies, the damage was already done.
After two years on the run, the Khongchaks’ escape finally ended in Indonesia. The authorities suspected the duo’s Thai accent, leading to their arrest. Nutty’s inability to sing the Indonesian national anthem further cemented their suspicion. The mother-daughter duo was subsequently deported back to Thailand and handed over to the police upon their arrival at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport on October 25.
Natthamon Khongchak currently faces 13 arrest warrants issued by Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau for her alleged role in the investment scam. Her mother also faces two related arrest warrants. Both have been charged with various offenses including fraud and misleading the public. Upon arriving at the immigration bureau, the influencer apologized to her victims, but did not elaborate on the case. This high-profile arrest serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online investment schemes, especially those promoted by influential figures.
The investigation into the scam is ongoing, and the full extent of Nutty’s involvement remains to be determined. This case has highlighted the vulnerability of investors to online scams, urging greater awareness and caution in online investments.
