Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand recorded a sharp increase in online fraud complaints last week, with total losses estimated at more than 440 million THB (approximately 13.88 million USD), according to the latest data released on March 2 by the country’s Anti-Cyber Scam Centre (ACSC).
Assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej who is also ACSC deputy director, said that the centre’s online reporting system logged 7,344 complaints between February 22 and 28, up 611 cases compared to the previous week. Total financial damage during the period amounted to 440.7 million THB.
Online shopping scams accounted for the largest share of complaints, with 4,996 reports, followed by employment fraud, investment scams and so-called “phone threat” schemes.
Although losses per case in online shopping scams are generally lower than in other categories, such fraud occurs more frequently and affects a large number of people, making it one of the most widespread threats at present.
However, in terms of overall financial damage, phone threat scams ranked first. Losses linked to this type of fraud rose significantly from 86.2 million THB to 117.8 million THB. Investment scams came second in total losses, followed by high-income job fraud.
Thai authorities noted that call centre scam networks continue to employ psychological intimidation tactics, often falsely accusing victims of involvement in serious crimes in order to pressure them into transferring money.
ACSC data also showed that women of working age were the most targeted group, with individuals aged between 31 and 40 accounting for the highest proportion of victims./.
