BANGKOK, Thailand – The family of a former lottery jackpot winner has filed a complaint with Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division after allegedly losing more than 26 million baht in a suspected investment scam involving a tomato supply business. At 11 a.m. on Wednesday, social media figure and activist “Ja Kings” Taengtim brought 36-year-old Paweena Luksezi, a vendor from Sakon Nakhon province, to meet investigators after she claimed she and her family were deceived into investing in a tomato farming and distribution operation.
Paweena said the alleged scam began in early 2023 when a woman identified as Prapassorn rented a relative’s house in Sakon Nakhon and became close to her family after learning that her mother had previously won a government lottery jackpot and first prize totaling 90 million baht in 2013.
The winnings were reportedly divided among her children, with each receiving 30 million baht.
According to Paweena, the woman later persuaded her family to invest in a tomato growing and supply business, claiming the produce was delivered to major wholesale markets including Talaad Thai and Si Mum Muang markets. The woman allegedly showed them a sorting facility to build confidence in the investment. Paweena said her mother initially invested several million baht and received weekly returns of around 20,000 baht, which convinced the family to invest more money.
However, payments later stopped, with the woman allegedly claiming the business had suffered losses after being cheated by others. Paweena said the total damage amounted to around 26 million baht, with only slightly more than 1 million baht returned. After becoming convinced they had been defrauded, the family filed a complaint with Akat Amnuai Police Station in Sakon Nakhon but later sought assistance from the Crime Suppression Division, fearing the case could be delayed. Paweena said she learned that other people may have also fallen victim but had not reported their cases.
“My mother and I are suffering badly. The money from the lottery winnings was taken from us through this scheme. We want authorities to speed up the investigation and prevent others from being harmed,” she said. Investigators have accepted the complaint for review and will coordinate with local police to proceed with legal action.
