Xeping Chaiyasan, widely advertised as a plastic surgery specialist, has been arrested for fraud after clients complained about her services, according to police.
Seven people have complained to the Action Task Force for Information Technology Crime Suppression (Tactics) accusing Ms Xeping of deceiving them into paying large sums of money for surgery.
Despite the hefty payments, they received substandard quality services which left their faces in bad shape, said Surachate Hakparn, Immigration Police chief.
Ms Xeping and Bathamakorn Wattananont, an alleged accomplice who she says is her younger brother, were arrested at Ms Xeping's home in Nonthaburi and charged with fraud on Wednesday. Both suspects denied the charge.
The complainants told police the suspects allegedly offered the "Face Off" facelift packages at a discount.
The service was advertised in a television programme called Face Off By Dr Xeping in which Ms Xeping claimed she held a doctorate degree in facial surgery. The programme also promised patients would not suffer prolonged post-surgery inflammation of the skin and that they would look up to 20 years younger.
A famous folk singer was also featured as a presenter for Ms Xeping's surgery service.
The victims wired money to Mr Bathamakorn's bank account to book an appointment, and were later told they must pay extra, which increased the overall cost of the procedure. They eventually agreed to have the surgery and pay the full fee following persuasion from Ms Xeping's staff.
The surgery was performed at a cosmetic surgery clinic in the Lat Phrao area of Wang Thong Lang district in Bangkok, according to police.
Some patients said they experienced a prolonged period of pain in their faces, which remained swollen for two to three months. They also complained of facial numbness.
The victims said that their faces looked worse and that they still have visible scars from surgery after the swelling subsided.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate said the Lat Phrao clinic and doctors who carried out the surgery there may also be liable for criminal charges after a probe found that Ms Xeping did not graduate with a degree in facial surgery.
One victim, Raiwin Lawson, said her looks have been ruined and her husband is thinking about leaving her. After learning about the surgery package through social media, she paid 680,000 baht to have a nose job and to correct mistakes inflicted by previous surgery.
