The iCon scandal in Thailand shows the continued popularity of get-rich-quick schemes

More than 740 complaints have surfaced against iCon Group so far, Thailand’s Central Intelligence Bureau said late Monday, claiming losses of about $8 million.

Founded six years ago by Waratpol Waratworakul – better known as “Boss Paul” – the company used its rags-to-riches story to attract up to 400,000 recruits looking to sell beauty products and supplements through a multi-level marketing program.

However, many of these hopeful members claim they were tricked into buying sales courses and opening credit lines of up to 250,000 baht ($7,500) to purchase more products, all under the guise of moving up in the company and their to manage your own sales teams.

As new recruits signed up, they expanded their networks, creating an extensive network of participants numbering between 300,000 and 400,000. But when the products failed to materialize or were not sold, countless members were forced to wipe out their savings, victims’ lawyers claim.

In a tearful two-hour television interview on Tuesday night, Boss Paul was confronted by the widow of a man who killed himself because of debts he accrued after joining iCon.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” he said, crying, vowing to compensate the victims.

“I will help compensate them up to my last baht… And when I run out of money, I will work to find money to pay them all back.”