Natty
– Photo: Nutty's Diary
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After more than two years on the run, Thai YouTuber Natthamon Khongchak, popularly known as 'Natty', has been arrested in Indonesia. There were several arrest warrants issued in Thailand against Natty and her mother Thania Khongchak in connection with a financial scam. According to local media reports, 31-year-old Natty and his mother were arrested on October 18, 2024 in Dumai city of Riau province in Indonesia. Both of them were absconding since July 2022.
Natty gained popularity through her YouTube channel, Natty's Diary, where she previously showcased her dancing and singing talents. According to the Bangkok Post, she had more than 8 lakh subscribers, which helped her become an investment guru guru.
According to The South China Morning Post, the YouTuber launched a foreign currency investment plan in July 2022. In this scheme it promised its customers high returns of 25% in three months, 30% in six months and 35% in one year with monthly profit distribution. However, the investors did not receive the promised returns and she fled the country with her mother and secretary Nichaphat Ratanukrom. More than 6,000 investors lost approximately 2 billion baht, or about $59 million, in their forex trading program, and never got their money back.
The accused mother and daughter were handed over to Thailand?
According to the South China Morning Post, Khongchak tried to assimilate into Indonesian society. But, due to his Thai accent, immigration officials began to suspect him of not being a local, leading to his arrest.
She was reportedly asked to sing the Indonesian national anthem, which she failed to do. After this the officials conducted a thorough investigation and his real identity was revealed. The mother-daughter duo were successfully flown back to Thailand and handed over to the police upon landing at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport on October 25.
Natthamon Khongchak faces 13 arrest warrants from Thailand's Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Bureau for his alleged role in the investment scam, and his mother also faces arrest in two related cases. Both were charged with widespread crimes of fraud and misleading the public. Upon reaching the Immigration Bureau, Natty apologized to his victims, but did not elaborate on the case, the Bangkok Post reported.
