PUBLISHED: 25 Feb 2025 at 06:06
In a worrying trend, Thailand recorded an alarming 168 million scam calls and SMS messages in 2024, marking the highest figure in five years. This surge is detailed in a new annual report highlighting the country’s ongoing battle against an increasingly complex scam ecosystem.
This spike, attributed to the rise of generative AI technology, has propelled various scams, including impersonation schemes, financial frauds, and serious breaches of personal data.
Last year alone, Thailand saw 38 million scam calls and an overwhelming 130 million scam SMS messages, reflecting a staggering 112% increase from 2023’s figures. The prevalence of scam calls nearly doubled from 20.8 million to 38 million, while scam SMS messages exploded from 58.3 million to nearly 130 million.
Advanced features like Smart SMS Assistant have flagged a massive number of scams, demonstrating that SMS remains a favored method for fraudsters targeting unsuspecting victims.
Predominantly, gambling and loan scams dominated the SMS landscape, with scammers also impersonating delivery and utility services, intricately linked to ongoing government policies aimed at reducing electricity costs and promoting digital wallets.
Furthermore, reports indicate a significant leakage of personal information, with alarming statistics revealing that 41% of users had their data exposed on the dark web. The breaches predominantly involved email addresses and phone numbers, often in conjunction with sensitive personal details.
