Miss Universe co-owners face fraud and trafficking allegations after 2025 pageant

A fresh scandal has struck the Miss Universe pageant only days after the 2025 competition ended in Thailand.

The event concluded last week with a victory for Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, following a contest marked by multiple controversies.

A Thai court official said on 26 November, 2025, that an arrest warrant had been issued the previous day for co-owner Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip.

According to statements filed in court, the case involves alleged fraud amounting to US$930,000.

A plastic surgeon accused Anne Jakapong of concealing key financial information when persuading him to invest in JKN Global Group.

The group co-owns the Miss Universe organisation and has faced financial pressure in recent years.

Later on the same day, Mexico’s federal prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into Raul Rocha Cantu, the other co-owner of the pageant.

The agency stated that he was being probed for alleged arms, drug, and fuel trafficking.

According to the prosecutor’s office, “key information is being obtained that will allow the federal public prosecutor’s office to continue and delve deeper into this investigation.”

The office confirmed that arrest warrants had been issued for 13 defendants, though none were identified.

Mexican media reported that Raul Rocha was among those sought by the authorities.

Local outlets also alleged that he had business dealings with Bernardo Bosch, the father of newly crowned Miss Universe winner Fatima Bosch.

Bernardo Bosch, a senior executive at the state-owned oil company Pemex, denied any connection with Raul Rocha.
He said claims of involvement were inaccurate and unfounded.

Fatima Bosch had already been at the centre of public attention after a confrontation during the pageant.

She led a walkout at a meeting between contestants and Thai director Nawat Itsaragrisil, who had singled her out for not posting promotional content.

Nawat was filmed calling her a “dumbhead,” prompting swift criticism on social media.

Bosch received praise for her response, including from President Claudia Sheinbaum.

On 25 November, Bosch said she had received “insults, attacks, and even death threats” following allegations about her father’s supposed connections.

She stated that the claims had caused distress to her family.

Miss Universe was previously owned by US President Donald Trump.

Anne Jakapong’s JKN Global Group acquired the organisation for US$20 million in 2022.

JKN later sold half its stake to Raul Rocha’s Legacy Holding Group USA for US$16 million.

The partnership is now under severe scrutiny as legal proceedings advance in both Thailand and Mexico.