Crime Scam Complaints Surge Again as Call Centres Change Tactics

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

Complaints about call centre and online scams in Thailand are on the rise once more, nearly reaching the levels seen in December 2024. This uptick follows a dip to the lowest recorded level in February 2025, says the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

 

The resurgence is linked to poor coordination in apprehending fraudsters, according to NBTC commissioner Pol Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn.

 

Pol Gen Nathathorn highlighted the constant evolution of scams, with call centre gangs adapting strategies and exploiting tools like low-Earth-orbit satellites. In response, the NBTC is urging telecom operators to follow additional measures complementing the cybercrime emergency decree effective April 13.

 

The decree is designed to curb the surge witnessed between 2023 and 2024 before a mid-2024 decline due to stringent state agency efforts.

 

Despite arrests mostly targeting those involved with mule accounts, the masterminds remain elusive. As these offenders thrive on borderless networks, Thailand's appeal as a lucrative market persists.

 

The NBTC stresses the importance of persistent prevention strategies in collaboration with various agencies to combat these scams.

 

New drafted regulations from the NBTC mandate telecoms to flag and suspend services to suspicious numbers promptly upon notification. Operators must verify new registrations within the first week to ensure accuracy.

 

Measures also prohibit unauthorised SIM boxes from the telecom network, restricting foreigners to three SIM card registrations per provider and requiring passport verification.

 

Moreover, tourist SIM cards are capped at 60 days unless users re-register to extend. These future regulations await board approval, aiming to bolster cybercrime prevention amid this unsettling scam resurgence.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-17

 

 

[Gottfrid]

No, they were allowed to change tactics as the holes in the law gave them such permission.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite arrests mostly targeting those involved with mule accounts, the masterminds remain elusive.

Yeah, gotta climb up the tree a bit further, 

[Muhendis]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Yeah, gotta climb up the tree a bit further, 

Looking at your ID picture, that shouldn't be too difficult.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Muhendis said:

Looking at your ID picture, that shouldn't be too difficult.

Totally agree.... 

[thaichiro]

Law must be air tight and result in massive fines and public caning as well as prison terms for these scum bags. The days of 2000baht fines must end!

[kiwikeith]

1 hour ago, thaichiro said:

Law must be air tight and result in massive fines and public caning as well as prison terms for these scum bags. The days of 2000baht fines must end!

they have been transferred to fines for not wearing a helmet. 

[GreasyFingers]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

New drafted regulations from the NBTC mandate telecoms to flag and suspend services to suspicious numbers promptly upon notification

How many times do the telecoms need to be told the number is a scam call. Once ie reaches 10 they should investigate and cancel the number.

I do not get any but the wife does so I answer them in English and if they do not understand/reply I use aggressive English. It seems to work.

[black tabby12345]

One simple tip for everyone to minimize the risk of online scam.

Stick to cash payment where possible.

Why pay via internet even  while you can do it directly from your wallet?

It also serves cost saving.

Everytime you use QR code for small amount settlement, you are paying some extra  not needed if paid in coins or notes.

[SingAPorn]

4 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

One simple tip for everyone to minimize the risk of online scam.

Stick to cash payment where possible.

Why pay via internet even  while you can do it directly from your wallet?

It also serves cost saving.

Everytime you use QR code for small amount settlement, you are paying some extra  not needed if paid in coins or notes.

sorry but on many services like food delivery, transport or in malls, the price is exactly the same if paid by phone QR scan or cash. Sorry. 

[Jonathan Swift]

It's like cutting off one head and two more grow. The best thing is to recognize the commonality in all of these. Look for the telltale signs. In the US right now you get calls from "medicare" and a bot voice, then you get switched to someone with an Indian accent. I usually say "so when did medicare move its offices to India" or "how's the weather in India" then maybe something about them being morons or maybe going to hell when they die or bringing shame to your country and its people. Shoping is safe as long as you're observant. It's very unlikely that you'll run into any identity theft as long as you've been careful with your information and never give it to anyone but an established merchant. You needn't inconvenience yourself out of paranoia. I've never ever been the victim of a scam in my entire life, and in fact I turned tables on one scammer by sending her a fake check leading her to run around all over Bangkok to try to cash it. Just learn the patternes and be deligient is all you need to do. There's plenty of information online about how to avoid scams, such as never clicking on a link sent to you by an unknown source, and also never responding to any message that you don't already know the sender.