Thailand Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Miss Universe Co-Owner in Fraud Case

A Bangkok court has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, after she failed to appear for a scheduled hearing in a 2023 fraud case.

Jakkaphong and her company, JKN Global Group, are accused of defrauding investor Raweewat Maschamadol through corporate bond sales that allegedly caused him to lose 30 million baht (about $930,000). Jakkaphong was previously charged and released on bail but did not notify the court before missing her hearing Tuesday, leading officials to label her a flight risk. The hearing is now rescheduled for December 26.

JKN—deeply in debt after defaulting on payments in 2023—entered bankruptcy rehabilitation in 2024, reporting liabilities of 3 billion baht ($93 million). The company famously purchased Miss Universe in 2022 but sold 50% of its shares in 2023 to Legacy Holding Group, owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú.

Rocha Cantú is simultaneously under investigation in Mexico for alleged organized crime activities, including drug trafficking and fuel theft. Mexican prosecutors recently secured 13 arrest orders connected to the case but would not confirm whether Rocha Cantú is among them.

Beyond the fraud allegations, Jakkaphong resigned from all company positions in June after Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission accused her of falsifying financial statements. She remains the company’s largest shareholder. Her current whereabouts are unknown; she did not attend the 74th Miss Universe pageant held in Bangkok earlier this month.

This year’s Miss Universe competition has been turbulent, marked by accusations of rigging, illegal advertising, and two judges resigning. JKN has denied rumors that Jakkaphong fled the country or liquidated assets.