Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A Thailand YouTuber, Natthamon Khongchak, known as “Nutty,” was apprehended after becomes a fugitive in Indonesia, evading authorities for two years. Khongchak’s efforts to blend in as a local resident backfired dramatically when she was unable to sing the Indonesian national anthem, “Indonesia Raya,” in front of Immigration officials.
Khongchak, along with her mother, was returned to Thailand on October 25, where they now face legal investigations. Khongchaks’ allegedly involved in a fraudulent scheme that reportedly swindled more than 6,000 victims out of 2 billion baht (around $60 million), according to Wissanu Chimtrakul, Deputy Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI), as reported by the Bangkok Post.
Khongchak initially gained fame as a YouTuber with over 800,000 followers, where she posted videos of herself singing and dancing to songs by popular K-pop groups like Blackpink and BTS. Dreaming of becoming a K-pop idol, she even made a brief debut in South Korea under the Dream Cinema label.
In 2022, Khongchak transformed her online persona into that of a successful investor and forex trader, promoting a high-return investment scheme that lured followers with promises of substantial profits: 25% in three months, 30% in six months, and 35% in a year, with monthly payouts. When her investors saw no returns, Khongchak claimed trading errors were to blame and threatened that anyone who reported her to authorities would cause her own imprisonment, further deterring victims from taking legal action.
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In July 2022, Khongchak, her mother, and their secretary, Nichaphat Rattanukrom, vanished. According to DSI investigator Thawatchai Piyaneelabut, they crossed into Malaysia through southern Thailand before illegally entering Indonesia by sea.
Arrested after failed to sing the Indonesian National Anthem
In Indonesia, Khongchak and her mother became fugitive and managed to evade 13 arrest warrants issued by Thailand Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, and two more for her mother. Attempting to obtain an Indonesian passport, Khongchak’s plan fell apart when immigration officials noticed her foreign accent.
To verify her identity, they asked her to sing the national anthem and recite parts of the constitution. When she failed to perform, her true identity was exposed. She and her mother were arrested on October 18 in Riau Province, Sumatra, for illegal entry, while Rattanukrom remains at large.
Thai authorities have seized 16 million baht (around $450,000) in assets and are tracing further funds in hopes of recovering more stolen money. Phaisal Ruangri, an attorney representing a group of victims, stated that Khongchak exploited her online popularity to deceive followers. Now Khongchak facing the maximum prison sentence of 20 years for fraud.
(Raidi/Agung)
