A couple accused of swindling customers out of GBP 26 million by selling designer bags and watches that never turned up are facing scores of fraud charges.

Pansuk Siriwipa and Pi Jiapeng, both aged 28, went on the run to Thailand from Singapore in the back of a lorry when police began to investigate their company.

The pair are said to have taken huge deposits from tens of thousands of customers who never got their Rolex watches or Hermes bags.

They were extradited back to Singapore when they were tracked to a remote Thai hotel after a month on their run.

Now, at a hearing, they have been told they face scores of charges of fraud, fraudulent trading, and fleeing the country illegally.

Pi Jiapeng is facing one count of fraudulent trading and one count of failing to exercise due diligence in his capacity as a director of their company Tradeluxury.

Pansuk Siriwipa is facing two charges of fraudulent trading and 166 counts of fraud.

Their cases have been scheduled for a pre-trial conference on 11th October.