PUBLISHED: 22 Dec 2024 at 15:34
The Royal Thai Police reported a significant rise in cybercrimes for 2024, highlighting various scams that are troubling citizens across the nation. Deputy spokesman for the police office shared that romance scams, impostor friend scams, fraudulent messages, and false accusation calls have become prevalent.
From March 1 to November 30 of this year, a staggering 739,000 online complaints were logged, amounting to a financial impact of 77 billion baht—averaging 77 million baht lost every day. These statistics were shared by Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor during a recent briefing.
The most frequently encountered scams include:
1. **Romance Scams**: Fraudsters create fake social media profiles to engage potential victims romantically, tricking them into paying customs fees for non-existent parcels and luring them into fake investment schemes.
2. **Impostor Scams**: Criminals call potential victims, posing as friends or relatives, and create a scenario where they request monetary assistance after leading them to believe they are in distress.
3. **Fraudulent Messages**: Victims receive messages containing deceptive links, enticing them with lucky-draw prizes or exclusive discounts. These messages are designed to steal personal information or grant access to bank accounts.
4. **False Government Calls**: Scammers impersonate government officials, claiming the victim is involved in illegal activities and demanding money to avoid legal repercussions or convincing them to download malicious applications.
Pol Maj Gen Siriwat has urged everyone to remain cautious and help protect loved ones from these scams. Individuals who suspect they may have fallen victim to cybercrime are encouraged to file complaints online or reach out to the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau’s 24-hour hotline for assistance.
