A court in Bangkok has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, following her failure to appear in court regarding a fraud case. The Bangkok South District Court announced the warrant on November 21, 2023, after Jakrajutatip, previously charged with fraud and released on bail, did not notify the court about her absence during a scheduled hearing.
The court deemed her a flight risk, prompting a rescheduling of the hearing to December 26, 2023. Jakrajutatip and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., face allegations of defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol, who claims he lost 30 million baht (approximately $930,362) from an investment in the company’s corporate bonds.
JKN Global has faced significant financial difficulties, defaulting on payments to investors since 2023 and entering debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court in 2024. The company currently reports debts nearing 3 billion baht (about $93 million). JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022 and sold a 50% stake in the event to Legacy Holding Group USA in 2023, owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú.
Jakrajutatip, who identifies as a transgender woman, resigned from all company positions in June 2023 after allegations of falsifying the company’s financial statements surfaced from Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission. Despite stepping down, she remains the largest shareholder of JKN. Her current whereabouts are unknown, and she was notably absent from the 74th Miss Universe competition held in Bangkok earlier this month.
This year’s pageant faced a series of controversies, including a public reprimand directed at Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, who was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on November 19, 2025. Two judges withdrew from the panel, with one alleging potential rigging in the contest. Additionally, Thai police are investigating claims that promotional activities for the event involved illegal advertising for online casinos.
On November 20, 2023, JKN denied rumors suggesting that Jakrajutatip had liquidated company assets and fled the country. The company has not yet responded publicly to the arrest warrant, and attempts to reach Jakrajutatip for comment have been unsuccessful. Recognized as a popular celebrity in Thailand, she has appeared in reality shows and is known for her advocacy of transgender rights.
