The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has formally accepted a foreign exchange (forex) investment fraud case as…

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has formally accepted a foreign exchange (forex) investment fraud case as a special investigation, citing extensive online solicitation and evidence of widespread financial damage.

Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam, director-general of the DSI, said he signed the order accepting the case as a special investigation under the Computer Crime Act 2007, following findings the illegal forex investment trading was being promoted online and reached a large number of investors, resulting in huge losses.

The move comes as part of an expanded probe after the DSI raided 24 locations across Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon on June 16. The operation resulted in the seizure of more than 65 million baht in cash and high-value assets, including luxury vehicles, gold and diamond jewellery, branded goods, bullion, and foreign currency.

Investigators also reported digital assets such as Bitcoin and USDT were among items examined, alongside bank records, mobile phones and computers. Preliminary analysis of financial flows is said to indicate links between brokerage-related companies and more than 500 affected individuals, with estimated losses running into billions of baht.

The DSI has urged victims linked to several brokerage platforms and intermediaries, including QRS Global, HFM, GOFX and Eterwealth, as well as associated investment advisers and payment service providers, to come forward with evidence.

At this stage, individuals named in connection with financial transactions, including People's Party (PP) list MP Pawoot Pongvitayapanu and actor Rattapoom "Film" Tokongsup, have not been formally summoned for questioning.

Separately, on Facebook on Wednesday Mr Pawoot denied any involvement in scams or forex-related schemes, insisting he was only a gold-trading client and rejecting claims linking him to investment misconduct.

He described himself as a participant in gold trading activities with QRS Global, adding photographs circulating online showing him with company executives were taken at routine trader meetings.

He also said he was not an instructor and denied promoting the platform after a video clip circulated showing him discussing QSR trading and the benefits he gained.

"The clip only showed me sharing personal trading experiences. It was not advertising or persuading anyone to join any broker," he said.

Mr Pawoot said he traded gold with the company and received rewards, including a mobile phone and overseas travel packages.

The MP added that he is gathering supporting documents, some of which are still pending from financial institutions, and pledged to provide a full explanation directly to the DSI once all documents are ready.

Mr Pawoot's post came after PP deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun urged him to explain allegations linking him to the forex investigation. She also confirmed the party would launch its own probe into the matter.