Thai authorities said Tuesday they have charged eighteen people, including a number of well-known celebrities, over a high-profile pyramid scheme that has duped at least 1,100 people out of around ฿400 million (around USD 11.5 million).

The suspects, according to the police, were linked to the iCon Group fraud case, during which victims were tricked into buying health products and signing up for low-cost online crash courses.

According to the Bangkok Post, police said these courses were used as a recruitment tool — pushing victims to invest even more money into the iCon Group to try to get others to sign up.

The group includes a popular TV host, Kan Kantathavorn, an actor, Sam Yuranunt Pamornmontri, an actress, Peechaya Watanamamontree, and the founder and CEO of the group Warathaphon "Boss Paul" Waratyaworrakul.

All the suspects remain imprisoned at the Bangkok Remand Prison and the Central Women Correctional Institution, as they have been denied bail over fears they would flee.

Besides the suspicion of public fraud, the suspects were also charged under the Computer Crimes Act, the Law on Loan Amounting to Public Cheating and Fraud, and the Direct Sales and Marketing Act.

The police have confiscated several assets in connection with the scheme, namely five vehicles. Victims are still being called to help build the case against the suspect.

The case has attracted massive media interest. Most of the news and talk shows revolve around the intersection of celebrity culture and financial crime in Thailand.

In addition, the damage this will do to the careers of those involved will only be seen as investigations unfold.