Thai celebrities implicated in a mass pyramid scheme appeared in court to face fraud charges in Bangkok on October 17.

Celebs Yuranant Pamornmontri, Kan Kantathavorn and Pechaya Wattanamontree were among 17 executives of the iCon group that allegedly lured followers into a ponzi scheme that drained them of their savings.

The company founder Warathaphon Waratyaworrakul, also known as 'Boss Paul', was escorted by police to the Criminal Court to seek court approval for his first remand today, October 18.

Police Lieutenant General Akkaradet Pimonsri, the assistant national police chief, said: 'During the investigation and court phase, the inquiry officer will not approve bail requests because this case has a severe penalty, involves a large number of victims, and is under the spotlight of the public.'

More than 1,100 people have filed fraud complaints against The iCon Group, which sold health and dietary supplements.

The 17 company executives named on arrest warrants, were Panjarat Kanokrakthanaporn, Thananon Hiranchaiwan, Natthapasorn Chatthanasorn, Yasikanya Ekkachisanuphong, Nanttarat Chaowanapreecha , Tawinphas Phupattanarin, Hassayanon Ekkachisanuphong, Yuranunt Pamornmontri, Wilailak Jengsuwan, Thanaroj Thitichariyawat, Peechaya Wattanamontree, Kanokthorn Puranasukhon, Jirawat Saengphakdee, Kan Kantathavorn, Saowapha Wongsaakha, Chetnaphat Apipattanakan, and Songkrot Sretthanan.

The company attracted many individuals by offering inexpensive online sales courses. However, once they enrolled, participants were asked for additional money to buy products, followed by larger financial commitments to help advertise for new recruits.

To become a sales representative for the company, individuals could start with retail by paying 2,500 baht to become distributors, or with wholesale, beginning as a supervisor for 25,000 baht, progressing to mini dealer or dealer at 50,000 to 250,000 baht.

(1 Baht = 0.023 GBP)