Online Scams & Fraud in Thailand
Welcome to the treacherous realm of online scams and fraud, where unsuspecting netizens navigate a digital minefield amid Thailand's thriving digital landscape.
Thailand may appear to be an island of adventure because of its breathtaking beaches, mouthwatering street food, and legendary nightlife of Bangkok. Behind the glitz and glamour, however, are crafty cybercriminals who are more than willing to rob you of your hard-earned Baht with a single mouse click.
In this review, we will explore Thailand's strange world of internet fraud and scams, giving you all the necessary tips to avoid losing your money to fraudsters.
Scam Statistics in Thailand
The key statistics on online fraud in Thailand, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Population | 69.04 million | 69.4 million | 69.8 Million | 70 million |
| Internet Penetration | 58% | 72% | 74.9% | 89% |
| # of Scams | 13,350 | 48,513 | ||
| Scams / 1,000 | 0.19 | 0.69 | ||
| Money Lost | € 12 million | € 2.1 Billion | ||
| Money Lost / Capita | € 0.17 | € 30 | ||
| Money Lost / Report | € 869 | € 43,287.37 |
The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.
Where Can I Report a Scam in Thailand?
- The Royal Thai Police (RTP)- You can report any online fraud or scam to the nearest police station. The police have a special Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), with over 2000 officers to help fight cybercrime.
How to Report a Scam in Thailand
Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.
- Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
- Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
- Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
- Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.
Scam Victim Support in Thailand
If you have fallen victim to online scams in Thailand, you can reach out to the Department of Mental Health for assistance.
How to Check for a Scam in Thailand
Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.
- The Securities and Exchange Commission- For investment scams, check if the company or individual promoting the investment opportunity is registered with the SEC and who maintains a list of authorized companies and licensed individuals
Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities
- The National Cyber Security Agency ('NCSA')- Seeks to raise awareness of cyber threats and enhance knowledge in the cybersecurity sector.
Scam News From Thailand
- Police received over 200,000 complaints of online fraud
- Avoid these 203 dangerous phone apps to avoid online fraud
Image source: unsplash.com
Report a Scam!
Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!
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