The group was led by Waraporn Panyaprom, a third- year student of Rajabhat Chiang Mai University, and Nattaya Banrengsanoh, 26. They filed the complaint against Phakaphat Bulsathaporn, 36, at Chang Puek Police Station at 10am.

Waraporn said she has known Phakaphat since she was in Year 11.

She alleged Phakaphat asked her to help find buyers for 40 iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices for Bt20,000 and Bt22,000 each respectively.

She alleged Phakaphat had claimed that she had a flight attendant friend who brought the phones into the country from abroad.

Waraporn said she trusted Phakaphat so she gathered a group of buyers and transferred Bt600,000 to Phakaphat for the purchase of 25 phones.

Nattaya said he transferred Phakphat Bt300,000 for 16 phones.

Waraporn said she has received only two phones from Phakaphat, who refused to return the money and later disappeared.

Nattaya said she was in trouble because she was responsible for the Bt300,000 she gathered from friends and relatives to buy the iPones.

The two women said there were apparently others who allegedly had been deceived by Phakaphat.