Arrest Warrant Issued Against Miss Universe Co-owner

Darwin, 27 November –A fresh controversy has erupted around Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip, the Thai media entrepreneur and co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, just days after the conclusion of Miss Universe 2025.

A civil court in South Bangkok has issued an arrest warrant against her on charges of fraud and embezzlement involving nearly USD 930,000 (30 million baht). The information was confirmed on Wednesday by a source at the court.

A Thai plastic surgeon filed the complaint, alleging that in 2023 Jakapong persuaded him to invest in JKN Global Group while concealing key financial information and making false promises about repayment deadlines.

The court stated that her actions amounted to fraud, and her absence during the proceedings could be considered an attempt to evade the process.

The verdict was scheduled for Tuesday, but when Jakapong failed to appear, the court issued an arrest warrant and set a new hearing date for December 26.

Local media reports claim that Jakapong, who has been facing financial difficulties, may have already moved to Mexico. However, her team has not issued any official statement regarding these allegations.

Miss Universe Organization Responds

In a statement, the Miss Universe Organization clarified that the ongoing legal matters are “completely unrelated to the administration or daily operations of the pageant.”

This year’s Miss Universe competition—held in Bangkok—had already drawn controversy. During the live broadcast, a male host faced intense criticism for publicly scolding the newly crowned Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, accusing her of not posting enough promotional content. The remarks angered Bosch and several contestants, who walked off the stage in protest.

The host later broke down in tears during a press conference and apologized. The incident even caught the attention of Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The Miss Universe pageant was once owned by Donald Trump but was purchased in 2022 by JKN Global Group for USD 20 million. The company later sold half of its stake for USD 16 million to Mexico-based Legacy Holding Group USA.

Sources: Yahoo News, Al Arabiya, Barron’s.