Thread: Pattaya - FINNISH PYRAMID-SCHEME FRAUDSTER TO BE EXTRADITED TO FINLAND

FINNISH PYRAMID-SCHEME FRAUDSTER TO BE EXTRADITED TO FINLAND

Alleged fraudster, Risto Sakari Hentunen, owner of a Bt1.8 billion Finnish pyramid-scheme financial firm, was arrested in South Pattaya on Saturday, October 31, at the request of Finnish police and Interpol. The Finn is alleged to have defrauded clients to the sum of 97 million Euros/Bt1.8 billion.

Risto Sakari Hentunen, 42, a Finnish national, apparently started a financial firm with two alleged accomplices, specializing in pyramid-schemes in Finland in 2004; one of which was called “Win Capital”. Approximately 10,000 people became members of that particular pyramid scheme, which apparently had over 97 million Euros/Bt1.85 billion invested, before the funds were transferred to the three men’s offshore bank accounts and the company subsequently closed, according to Immigration Bureau Deputy Commander Chatchai Aiemsang. Hentunen’s two accomplices were later arrested in Finland, but Hentunen himself managed to escape the police dragnet and fled to Thailand.

His details were subsequently posted on Interpol and when Finnish police learnt that Hentunen was hiding out in South Pattaya, where he had been since 2006, they alerted Thai police and asked for their co-operation. The Thai Immigration Police accordingly raided the apartment on Saturday night, October 31, and arrested the Finnish offender. From the apartment, police apparently seized 16 credit cards, and three bank account passbooks, along with two mobile phones with three SIM cards and a passport; all of which were kept as evidence. Hentunen was then taken into custody to the Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok.

Police later announced that the alleged criminal is to be extradited to Finland to face charges of with money laundering and fraud.

Pattaya Daily News