Anutin Charnvirakul. File photo courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has shared his personal encounter with call centre scammers, highlighting the pervasive problem and pledging decisive action to curb such illegal activities. Speaking on Thursday, Anutin recounted receiving a fraudulent call claiming his credit card had maxed out, urging him to transfer more funds.

 

Amusingly, Anutin noted the scammer's pleasant voice kept him on the line. "She had a nice voice, so I talked with her for about an hour. I guess she didn’t know who I was," he chuckled. Despite the light-hearted recount, his experience underlines the severity of scam operations rampant in Thailand.

 

The scam menace has prompted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to issue warnings about advanced artificial intelligence scams, following her own narrow escape from a potential con.

 

Anutin emphasised that these scams often operate from neighbouring countries and assured the public of ongoing efforts to thwart them. A critical part of his strategy is ensuring Thailand's infrastructure, particularly electricity, is not exploited by these gangs.

He has instructed the Provincial Electricity Authority to terminate electricity supplies identified as being used by scam operations across the border. This action targets resource networks crucial to maintaining scam operations, seen as a significant step in disrupting their illegal activities.

 

Thailand exports electricity to nearby nations through deals formalised with government oversight. Anutin stressed that responsibility for any misuse of this power lies with the recipient nation's government.

 

He firmly stated, "If the power was resold several times until it reached the hands of call centre gangs or drug syndicates, it is the responsibility of that country’s government to take action. I insist that we have never sold power directly to these illegal operations."

 

This firm stand against scammers underscores Thailand's commitment to tackling fraud. Anutin’s personal brush with scammers not only highlights the issue's ubiquitous nature but also galvanises his ministry’s efforts to secure national resources from misuse.

 

As these scams become increasingly sophisticated, Thailand remains vigilant, ensuring its resources are protected from exploitation, and reinforcing its stance against cross-border crime, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-01-18

 

 

Typical, until it effects them nothing is done for the ordinary citizen as they don't care a jot about them getting ripped off.

Must remember to ask the scammer if he knows who I am. That should sort it.

8 hours ago, webfact said:

so I talked with her for about an hour. I guess she didn’t know who I was

Apparently you are somebody with too much time on his hand and nothing more important to do, Mr. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister

The latest appear to be from +697  a search shows this number is VOI

 

Myself never answer my phone unless it is a number in my phone - bad luck if you were a  scammer

 

Myself had 2 this week, many friends have also had them, the voice on the other end sound like one of there friends or Business Customer, they told me

17 hours ago, Andycoops said:

Typical, until it effects them nothing is done for the ordinary citizen as they don't care a jot about them getting ripped off.

 

Wait until he get bitten by a stray dog, then he order culling all of them.

On 1/18/2025 at 5:35 AM, webfact said:

The scam menace has prompted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to issue warnings about advanced artificial intelligence scams, following her own narrow escape from a potential con.

Would you like to buy a high-end brand handbag for half price, or we even trade designer watches for a great promotion?

On 1/18/2025 at 5:35 AM, webfact said:

so I talked with her for about an hour

Wow, so glad that he had an hour to waste like that. Did you get any real information to shut them down?