Probe into ‘Victoria’s Secret Massage’ parlour ramps up

Authorities have frozen additional assets worth 300 million baht from businessmen allegedly involved in a human trafficking network believed to have supplied underage girls to Victoria’s Secret Massage.

Among them are the massage parlour owner Kampol Wirathepsuporn who, together with his wife Nipa, are still on the run after authorities issued warrants for their arrest for their role in the running of the brothel which was found to have employed underage girls.

The 300 million baht worth of assets are being inspected as the authorities are tracking down the money trails of the businessmen to search for more evidence in the case, Department of Special Investigation (DSI) chief Paisit Wongmuang said yesterday.

Investigators are now looking into the money transferred out of the parlour to certain people, he added.

The DSI has also asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to jointly search for any irregularities as the DSI suspects the money generated from the massage operation might have been laundered through stock purchases.

Earlier, the DSI teamed up with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to freeze assets valued at 100 million baht which belonged to Victoria’s Secret Massage owners and others suspected of having roles in the human trafficking.

A source close to the investigation said some money had been withdrawn from bank accounts of suspects alleged to be involved in the Victoria’s Secret Massage operation. The withdrawals were made just before the arrest warrants were issued for Mr Kampol and Ms Nipa.

The Jan 12 raid on the parlour also found documents allegedly indicating police and some influential state officials were given complimentary sexual services.

An initial police investigation found many masseuses, mostly from neighbouring countries, were forced into prostitution there. Among them were 14 girls are aged under 18.

So far up to 20 officials have been accused of being involved with the establishment.

Former politician Chuvit Kamolvisit told the DSI he suspected Victoria’s Secret Massage was part of a criminal syndicate which targeted girls aged between 12 and 18, a source said.

Mr Chuvit earlier met police to clear up rumours about the parlour which he sold to Mr Kampol.