Call-centre scammers stealing again in Thailand, say police

[snoop1130]

Call-centre scammers stealing again in Thailand, say police

By Suriya Patathayo 
The Nation

 

 

While call-centre scammers returned to their crimes after lying low for the past few months, five unnamed victims of call-centre scams divided Bt467,359 retrieved from scammers in a presentation by National police advisor Pol General Thanitsak Thirasawat on Monday.

 

It was the 16th money-returning ceremony since the Royal Thai Police's (RTP) call centre scam suppression operation centre was established late last year.

 

Peerapat Ingpongphan, a deputy spokesman for the Anti-Money Laundering Office, told a press conference that since December 8 last year police had returned a total of Bt36 million to 85 victims – out of the 445 telecommunication fraud cases that caused damages worth Bt235 million to people. 

 

Call-centre scammers who had lain low in response to a heavy crackdown earlier this year had returned to the crime this month, said Peerapat. Some 10-20 victims who had lost an estimated Bt10 million to scammers have recently filed complaints, he said.

 

The scammers have resorted to withdrawing stolen money in other countries, because no Thai any longer dared to open bank accounts for hire for fear of punishment, he added.

 

Thanitsak said most victims who quickly contacted the authorities in hopes of getting their stolen money back realised they had been duped within 15-30 minutes after hanging up from a conversation with the scammers. Some had quickly alerted the police hotline 1710 and contacted banks in time to freeze the money. Those who took longer to alert the authorities often found that the scammers had already withdrawn some of the stolen money from the banking system, he added.

 

Taiwan is the major regional base for call-centre gangs due to the country’s edge in technology, said Tourist Police Bureau deputy chief Pol Maj-General Surachate Hakparn. Thai police have thus joined with Taiwanese police to make arrests, resulting in some 40-50 suspects being netted recently.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30346446

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-5-28

[klauskunkel]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

no Thai any longer dared to open bank accounts for hire for fear of punishment

Hey the BiB, take this statement and apply the concept to drunk drivers.

[PatOngo]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Call-centre scammers stealing again in Thailand, say police

This has to be a "Big Joke" right?

[worgeordie]

Just a couple of weeks ago,the Police said all call scammers had

been eradicated from Thailand,and the Police were patting themselves

on the back,now there  back,suspect they never really left.

regards worgeordie

[PerkinsCuthbert]

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Just a couple of weeks ago,the Police said all call scammers had

been eradicated from Thailand,and the Police were patting themselves

on the back,now there  back,suspect they never really left.

regards worgeordie

All that time here and you still expect consistency?

[worgeordie]

15 minutes ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

All that time here and you still expect consistency?

I never expect anything,take things as they come.

and what has consistency got to do with the Police.

regards worgeordie

[PerkinsCuthbert]

Nothing. That was my point.

 

Regards, Perkins.

[lvr181]

10 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Just a couple of weeks ago,the Police said all call scammers had

been eradicated from Thailand,and the Police were patting themselves

on the back,now there  back,suspect they never really left.

regards worgeordie

Same same as Ebola cure. 

 

Authorities think they are going forward by patting themselves on the back! Jeez.

[lvr181]

8 hours ago, worgeordie said:

and what has consistency got to do with the Police.

Seemingly always getting a laugh about them - that is consistency. 

[Cadbury]

The scammers are only here because the suckers and desperate gold diggers are here. They seem to be easy pickings. If it weren't for them the scammers would be looking for greener pastures. 

[VBF]

17 hours ago, Cadbury said:

The scammers are only here because the suckers and desperate gold diggers are here. They seem to be easy pickings. If it weren't for them the scammers would be looking for greener pastures. 

Agree - if you are stupid enough to think you're going to get something for nothing, you get what you deserve - nothing!  (Or worse, you get ripped off!!)

 

These parasites pray on ignorant people, and while the call centres need to be shut down, quite honestly, if you're stupid enough to fall for them it's your own fault. 

 

It's certainly not restricted to Thailand though. Here in UK, another attempt is being made to stop it http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44294566

Edited May 30, 2018 by VBF