Police summon suspects in bitcoin scam

BANGKOK, Aug 18 (TNA) - Thai police will summon eight suspects including a TV series actor and his siblings for questioning in connection with alleged involvement in a bitcoin fraud case. The high-profile cryptocurrency scam has been uncovered after a Finnish investor filed complaint after losing Bt757 million worth of bitcoins to a group of scammers. Jiratpisit Jarawijit or Boom, a famous actor, was arrested earlier this month; his parents and two of his siblings have also been implicated. Jiratpisit and his one his brothers, Parinya, have been accused of fraud and money laundering. His parents and the other brother, Thanasit, as well as three other individuals have been found to engage in illegal money transaction. Pol-Colonel Chakrit Sawasdee, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), said all of them have been summoned for questionings from August 27 to 29. Parinya who had been reportedly traveling in the US must report to police, otherwise he would face arrest warrant, Pol-Colonel Chakrit said The Finnish millionaire Aarni Otava Saarimaa has been duped millions of dollar out of investment in a new cryptocurrency called Dragon Coin. Police have traced and verified money with dozens of commercial banks’ accounts linked to the family. Several plots of land are believed to have been bought with the stolen money. Investigators also found links with well-known stock investors. (TNA)