Online Scams in Thailand Reduced to 110 Million Baht per Day in April

[snoop1130]

 

During April, daily losses from online fraud averaged 110 million baht, a decline of 26% from the 149 million baht figure recorded in March. The reduction is tied to the authorities' escalated fight against online fraud.

 

On April 1st, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin urged various agencies to demonstrate meaningful results in addressing online fraud within a month. Consequently, the number of online fraud complaints rose to 992 in April from the 855 complaints logged in March.

 

The increased complaints could be due to the provision of more avenues for fraud victims to report their grievances, according to Prasert Jantararuangthong, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES).

 

However, the minister is not completely satisfied with these statistics, pointing out a significant rise in the number of illegal websites being blocked - from 600 in April last year to 16,158 this year.

 

The ministry is reportedly in talks with Microsoft Thailand management about using an AI-driven system for a more efficient response to online crime. Troublingly, the most severe issue is fraudulent investments in securities, funds, or digital assets via illegal websites and social platforms, which can cause losses of up to 30 to 70 million baht per incident.

 

Despite the high figures, Prasert claimed that the total loss from fraud is improving compared with last year. The progress report is set to be presented to the Cabinet next week.

 

Prasert appealed to all institutions to continue strictly enforcing measures against online fraud, illegal websites, dummy SIM cards, and illegal bank accounts. This entails increasing public awareness, minimizing the risk of falling for unlawful investments, and reviewing existing laws or regulations.

 

Prosecutions for online offenses escalated from a monthly average of 1000 between January and March to 6458 in April. Similarly, prosecutions for online gambling increased from a monthly average of 1200 for January-March to 3757 in April. Prosecutions for illegal bank accounts also jumped from a monthly average of 120 in the first quarter to 361 in April.

 

Different agencies have taken actions to suspend illegal bank accounts in recent months: Bank of Thailand and the Thai Bankers’ Association have frozen 300,000 accounts, the ministry has frozen 112,699 accounts, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office has frozen 318,298 accounts.

 

According to Prasert, the rise in both prosecutions and account suspensions is a testament to the effective collaboration among the parties involved. He encouraged all agencies to report suspected illegal activities such as dummy accounts, illegal SIMs, and URLs linked to gambling sites to the Online Scam Operation Centre.

 

File photo for reference only. Courtesy of Google

 

-- 2024-05-03

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

During April, daily losses from online fraud averaged 110 million baht, a decline of 26% from the 149 million baht figure recorded in March. The reduction is tied to the authorities' escalated fight against online fraud.

Not sure if you can boast that as a win?

[cncltd1973]

China thanks you for playing, no doubt they need money any and every way they can get it, and these call centers have been raking it in

[mikebell]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, the minister is not completely satisfied with these statistics,

I should think NOT!

[newbee2022]

At present there is an extremely good offer on internet here in Thailand: 

To ask for a loan with excellent condition you have to pay upfront for expenses. Eg. Ask for 200000 Baht, pay upfront 4000 Baht. I just came across because a neighbour lost the upfront payment😩

[john donson]

is thailand nr 1 yet on the scammers list ? only 110.000.000 baht a day ?

[DLock]

So, you are saying you are aware and able to monetize the scams and losses.

 

...yet, you can't stop them?

[StayinThailand2much]

How about the good old tourism scams? Any decline?