• 
• 

Published on February 18, 2008

He did not name the four people and did not say whether they were employees of Yufuku Decorate or Paradise Car Rent, both of which have been investigated by police over their suspicious business operations.

Pongsapat said police would coordinate with finance companies and asked for their leniency in easing their conditions on repayment for innocent motorists duped by the companies after buying cars through financial packages.

The number of cars subjected to the scam operated by both companies reached more than 700 yesterday.

Their chassis and engine serial numbers, along with licence plate numbers, will be put on the Royal Thai Police website at www.royalthaipolice.go.th today. Pongsapat called on those who own the cars, even lawfully, to contact their nearest police station.

"After police verification, innocent buyers and owners of those cars will not have to be worried," he added.

The spokesman said more suspects had contacted police about turning themselves in, and he called on those still on the run to give themselves up. "Those faced with arrest warrants are being located and will soon be arrested," he said.

Pongsapat said none of the 700 cars had been smuggled out of Thailand.

Most of the scam victims are based in Bangkok, but 20 people living in Chon Buri have lodged similar complaints with Muang district police.

A woman salesperson said she acted as guarantor in the purchases of 84 cars that were later lent to a partner company.

Chutiphan Kokantaphorn said she had retained only two cars after Jakkarin Phloysarak, a broker who asked her to help him in guaranteeing the purchases, disappeared on Feb-ruary 8.

Chutiphan said she had paid Bt300,000 to owners of the 82 cars with her money after Jakkarin had stopped paying her, and said she would be in a deeper trouble if she could not recover the 82 cars and return them to their rightful owners.

Min Buri police said they hope to question Nattharin Muhammad, managing director of Yufuku, and two employees Jaran Supharb and Thitirat Seemuk who were on the run.

The Nation