A Thai court issued an arrest warrant for Miss Universe co-owner Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip over alleged $930,000 fraud involving a plastic surgeon investor.
BANGKOK: A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for media mogul Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the Miss Universe beauty pageant, over alleged fraud worth $930,000.
The South Bangkok Civil Court issued the warrant on Tuesday after Jakapong failed to appear for a scheduled verdict in the 30 million baht case.
A plastic surgeon accused Jakapong of fraud and concealing information when persuading him to invest in her JKN Global Group in 2023.
“The defendant invited (the plaintiff) to invest knowing her inability to return the money within the appointed time,” stated a court document.
The court noted Jakapong’s absence “could be interpreted as fleeing” and rescheduled the verdict for December 26.
Local media reported Jakapong had traveled to Mexico amid rumors of mounting financial troubles.
This legal development follows the conclusion of Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok last week, which was marred by controversy.
The competition featured a public confrontation between host Rodrigo Rojas and eventual winner Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch.
Rojas singled out Bosch for failing to post promotional content and allegedly called her “dumb,” prompting her to lead a walk-out.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later praised Bosch for speaking out against the host’s behavior.
The Miss Universe Organization stated earlier this year that “these legal proceedings are entirely separate” from its operations.
Jakapong’s JKN Global Group purchased Miss Universe for $20 million in 2022, later selling half its stake to Mexican firm Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million.
In 2024, the Stock Exchange of Thailand delisted JKN shares after the company failed to submit financial statements and was found to have falsified them.
