Thai PM Paetongtarn Targeted by Scammers Using AI Voice Cloning

[webfact]

FILE - Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra talks to a reporter during a news conference at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (The Government Spokesman Office via AP)

 

In a stark revelation today, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra disclosed that she narrowly escaped falling victim to a cunning scam involving AI voice cloning. The scammers impersonated a foreign leader in an attempt to extract fake donations, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cyber scams.

 

During discussions on fiscal policies for 2026, Ms Paetongtarn shared her unsettling experience. She received a call from someone mimicking the voice of a prominent international leader, asserting that she had missed making a scheduled donation.

 

An audio clip, convincingly matching the leader's voice, accompanied the request, complete with instructions directing her to an erroneous international payment link.

 

"I want to warn people that I, myself, almost fell victim. This matter is important," the Prime Minister declared. Expressing her concern over these advanced fraudulent tactics, she announced that the Digital Economy and Society Ministry is now investigating the case.

The scam began with an AI-generated message purporting to be from a foreign leader, proposing a collaboration with Prime Minister Paetongtarn. Responding casually with an "Okay," she thought little of it until a late-night call followed, which she missed as she was already asleep.

 

The following morning, she sent an apologetic message for missing the call, after which the scammers escalated their ruse. They sent another AI-generated audio clip, urging her to donate, falsely stating that Thailand was the only ASEAN nation yet to contribute.

 

The transaction instructions raised her suspicions, as the bank details pointed to an account abroad, confirming her doubts.

 

Realising the scam, Ms Paetongtarn entrusted Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong with the investigation. Notably, the scam utilised a foreign application rather than the more commonly used local Line app, complicating the tracking and investigation process.

 

The Prime Minister's experience echoes a previous incident involving her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who also faced a similar scam prior to his return to Thailand. In that case, a message claimed he was distributing cash using a voice message, which she instantly recognized as fraudulent, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Emphasising the lesson learned, Ms Paetongtarn assured that neither she nor her administration would participate in such dubious financial dealings.

 

Her experience serves as a potent reminder to the public to remain vigilant and sceptical of unsolicited communication, particularly those involving financial transactions. With current exchange rates, vigilance is vital amidst scams potentially siphoning large amounts of money abroad.

 

-- 2025-01-15

 

 

[hotchilli]

Hi honey this is daddy... can you give me all your banking details I need to transfer some funds to your account..

[kwaussie]

It just shows scammers will go right to the top absolutely nobody is safe from these low life people who are to lazy to get a real job and contribute to society.

[Justanotherone]

not in Thai I hope? 

 

this is your auntie, I need 300 billion for some rice, I have not eaten yet, my queen

[asean]

Very simple fix. Prosecute and Jail the mule bank account holders. No mules no scammers.