CEO of direct sales company ‘Boss Paul’ pleads innocence

BANGKOK: Warathaphon Waratyaworrakul (pictured), also known as Boss Paul, managing director of The iCON Group Co Ltd, accompanied by his lawyer, appeared before investigators from the Central Bureau of Investigation at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday (October 12) to demonstrate his innocence after numerous complaints accusing him of fraudulent investment projects.

Warathaphon expressed deep sadness and regret after hearing about the victims, including reports of suicides.

He said he came to show his sincerity and willingness to go through the legal process. He acknowledged his explanation had been delayed but stressed his intention to support and compensate those affected.

In the event of financial losses or death, he said he would seek an impartial mediator, trusted by society, to help resolve the issues and provide justice to the victims.

Asked about celebrity involvement in running the business, he declined to comment publicly and said he would provide those details to police.

A reporter asked whether the financial losses were due to the company’s mistakes. Warathaphon responded that both parties, the company and the victims, must present their evidence.

He believes that with information from both parties, the company can reach a fair judgment, but the matter must first go through the court process.

“I confirm my innocence. Over the past six years, I never imagined that online sales of this nature would be illegal, and many other companies are doing the same.

“I am not the first to think of or run such a business, as I have seen experienced entrepreneurs succeed in this field with many online brands,” Warathaphon said.

Earlier in the day, police executed a criminal court search warrant and raided nine locations in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, all linked to the iCON group, to gather additional evidence.

The aim of these searches was to collect documents, particularly relating to product sales and production quantities, in order to determine whether the company was primarily involved in product sales or fundraising.

Meanwhile, victims continued to file complaints with the Crime Suppression Division, where arrangements were made to handle large numbers of complainants seeking legal action against the company.

Since the morning, victims from different regions of the country have been submitting documents and filing complaints.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CIB) prepared up to 70 investigators to assist throughout the day as the overwhelming number of complaints filed yesterday slowed down the investigation process. – The Nation/ANN