A married couple operating a private loan agency surrendered to Sri Maha Phot police in Sri Maha Phot district at 1:30 AM on Monday to face charges of posting naked pictures of debt defaulters online.

The 31-year-old woman and her husband were questioned by Sri Maha Phot station chief, Pol Col Mongkol Thopao, for an hour. Afterwards, the woman stated they were shocked by the situation and were not ready to answer reporters’ questions.

Pol Col Mongkol said the couple surrendered after learning that authorities had searched their house in tambon Tha Tum of Sri Maha Phot district on Sunday evening. The couple was in the northeastern province of Kalasin for merit-making, and their house was locked up.

The station chief advised them to surrender upon their return.

The couple has been charged with operating as loan sharks, posting pictures of naked people on computer systems, and demanding repayment in an improper manner that damaged others’ reputations.

Pol Col Mongkol mentioned that the couple had no debtors in Prachin Buri.

Earlier, a man who had allegedly borrowed 500 baht from the woman suspect complained that his naked picture was sent to his five guarantors, including his own mother.

He explained that when he borrowed the money, the creditor ordered him to pose naked with his ID card and sign a contract allowing her to release his photo if he defaulted.

The creditor allegedly charged him 100 baht in weekly interest. The debtor paid the interest on time for six weeks, but when he fell one day behind in the seventh week, his naked photo was released. The man is a native of nearby Chachoengsao province.

The creditor reportedly also ordered female debtors to pose topless for pictures for the same purpose.

photo Bangkok post