A Thai court has has sentenced two owners of a seafood restaurant to 1,446 years in prison each for defrauding the public.
Last year, the Laemgate seafood restaurant had begun selling various food vouchers that required customers to pay in advance, reports the BBC.
Up to 20,000 people purchased 50 million Thai baht ($1.6 million) worth of vouchers, said broadcaster Thai PBS.
One such deal offered a seafood meal at 880 baht ($28) for 10 people - far cheaper than their usual prices.
Initially, those who bought the vouchers were able to claim their meals at the restaurant but a long waiting list meant an advance booking of up to several months, according to Thai PBS.
But by March, the company - Laemgate Infinite - announced its closure, claiming that it could not get hold of enough seafood to meet the demand.
It offered to refund customers who had bought vouchers, the BBC quoted Thai PBS as saying.
About 375 out of 818 customers who complained got their money back. Hundreds later filed complaints against the company and its co-owners for fraud.
The two owners, Apichart Bowornbancharak and Prapassorn Bowornbancha were arrested on charges including defrauding the public through false messages.
They were found guilty on 723 counts on Wednesday and sentenced to 1,446 years in jail each.
They pleaded guilty and their sentences were cut by half to 723 years each. They will in fact only be serving a maximum of 20 years.
In 2017, a Thai court sentenced a fraudster to more than 13,000 years in prison.
Mini School Bus mishap leaves driver critically injured, children slightly hurt
In a harrowing incident today, a mini school bus belonging to a private school met with a grave accident in the vicinity of Paschim Dewan Pasha Gram Panchayat.
Rs 1.22 crore power infrastructure destroyed in thunderstorm struck Tripura
A thunderstorm that struck Tripura on Thursday has destroyed power infrastructure worth Rs 1.22 crores, including 166 km of crucial transmission lines, 235 electric poles, and 30 transformers suffering irreparable damage.
Mayor distributes water, fruits to common people
In a thoughtful gesture to combat the scorching summer heat, Ward No. 35 of Agartala Municipal Corporation extended a refreshing hand to the common people.
Youth Congress demands resignation of TSCB MD after fatal bus accident
The delegation representing Pradesh Youth Congress managed to enter the premises of the bank and held discussions with the acting Managing Director, in the absence of the MD.
30 BJP leaders from state to campaign for Lok Sabha in West Bengal
Around 30 leaders, including Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, along with other MLAs and ministers from the state, will campaign for BJP in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha elections.
One more person planted in Raj Bhavan with sinister intent: Bengal Governor
In an audio message released on Friday, the Governor claimed that Raj Bhavan received a confidential report that political forces had planted one more person in the Raj Bhavan with sinister intent.
Rahul Gandhi files nomination from Raebareli
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday filed his nomination papers from the Raebareli Lok Sabha seat. Congress workers and Samajwadi Party workers turned out in full force to welcome Rahul to Raebareli.
'Daro mat, bhaago mat': PM Modi's stinging jibe at 'Shehzada', top Congress leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday mocked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, hours after he was fielded from Raebareli Lok Sabha constituency, the seat vacated by former Congress President Sonia Gandhi.