Phuket Scams Surge: 5,500 Victims and 413 Million Baht Lost

[webfact]

CCIB chief shows scam tex. // Photo via CCIB/Phuket News
 

Phuket is witnessing an alarming rise in financial fraud, with over 5,500 individuals falling victim to scams in the past year, resulting in cumulative losses of 413 million baht. These figures were confirmed by Police Colonel Kritsada Manawongsakun, head of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) Region 5.

 

There has been a sharp increase in scam activities since 2022. Last year, while there were 1,365 reported victims who collectively lost 10.9 million baht, the numbers jumped dramatically in 2023 to 3,538 victims with 18.8 million baht in losses. By 2024, the figures skyrocketed to 5,510 victims, with financial damages amounting to an astounding 413 million baht.

 

Reacting to these developments, the TCSD has intensified efforts to warn the public and guide them on how to avoid falling prey to fraudsters. The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), established in September 2020, is responsible for addressing cybercrime, recognised as a threat to national security.

 

Pol. Col. Kritsada's jurisdiction includes 14 provinces in southern Thailand, where efforts are focused on countering the rise in cybercrime and safeguarding citizens from future threats.

In January 2025 alone, Thailand reported 31,165 cases of technology-related fraud, averaging 1,005 incidents daily. Predominantly, these involved fraudulent online sales, comprising 55.88% of the cases and resulting in victim losses exceeding 145 million baht. Additional prevalent scams included job offer fraud, prize claim scams, call centre deceptions, fraudulent loans, and investment scams, collectively causing over 2 billion baht in losses in just one month.

 

During this period, police froze 10,410 bank accounts linked to fraudulent activities, recovering assets worth approximately 448 million baht. Despite the extensive scale of fraud, authorities have only managed to recover a fraction—about 10%—of the victims’ funds.

 

The tactics of scammers have evolved significantly in recent years. In 2022, fraud mainly involved false sales offers and deceptive work-from-home opportunities. By 2023, scammers shifted focus to sophisticated online financial fraud and increased fake sales activity. In 2024, fraudulent lending schemes and deceptive investment opportunities became prevalent, with misleading sales remaining a common strategy.

 

Fraudsters have adopted personal phone numbers and the guise of government agencies to instill fear and manipulate victims. Common tactics involve requesting sensitive personal information such as ID or credit card details or soliciting money transfers to expedite fictitious cases.

 

Victims are urged to report incidents to local police, who will evaluate the situation and collaborate with the CCIB and TCSD for further investigations. Phuket Provincial Police Commander, Pol. Maj. General Sinlert Sukhum, advises that both locals and expatriates who suspect scam activities should immediately report to any police station or contact the hotline 1441 to secure their bank accounts.

 

These efforts underscore the ongoing battle against cybercrime in Phuket and highlight the necessity for public vigilance and proactive measures to combat this growing issue, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-24