YouTuber Nutty Arrested for Multi-Million Dollar Financial Scam After Two-Year Manhunt

In a significant development, Thai YouTuber Natthamon Khongchak, popularly known as ‘Nutty’, has been apprehended in Indonesia after evading authorities for over two years. Nutty, along with her mother Thaniya Khongchak, was wanted in connection with a forex investment scam that defrauded more than 6,000 investors, leading to losses totaling nearly $59 million.

Background on the Scam

Nutty, a 31-year-old influencer, gained fame through her YouTube channel, Nutty’s Diary, where she showcased her dance and singing talents, often recreating scenes from popular K-pop groups like Blackpink and BTS. At her peak, she amassed over 800,000 subscribers, establishing a loyal fan base that she later exploited to promote her investment schemes.

In July 2022, Nutty launched a forex investment program promising her followers extraordinarily high returns—25% in three months, 30% in six months, and 35% in one year, with monthly payouts. However, when investors did not receive the promised returns, Nutty fled Thailand with her mother and their secretary, Nichaphat Rattanukrom.

According to reports from The South China Morning Post, the forex scheme left over 6,000 investors with nearly 2 billion baht (approximately $59 million) in losses, with many never recovering their investments. In her defense, Nutty claimed the missing funds were lost due to failed trading strategies before she disappeared.

Capture and Arrest

The Khongchaks were arrested on October 18, 2024, in Dumai, a town in Indonesia’s Riau province, after immigration authorities grew suspicious of them. Despite their attempts to assimilate into local society, their Thai accents raised red flags. Reports indicate that Nutty was asked to sing the Indonesian national anthem, a request she was unable to fulfill, prompting officials to investigate further.

On October 25, the mother-daughter duo was deported back to Thailand, where they were handed over to the police upon arrival at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok. Nutty is now facing 13 arrest warrants from Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau for her alleged involvement in the investment fraud, while her mother faces charges in two related cases.

Aftermath

Upon her return, Nutty reportedly apologized to her victims but refrained from discussing the specifics of her case, as covered by The Bangkok Post. Both women are now expected to face serious legal repercussions as authorities continue to address the fallout from this extensive financial scam.

This case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers in the realm of online investments and the critical need for due diligence when engaging with influencers and their financial schemes.