(Bangkok): Thailand is facing a surge in online scam-related crimes. Recently, Thai police arrested multiple individuals, including British and Australian nationals in a crackdown operation on an online scam network disguised as an investment scheme, which had defrauded victims of more than USD 1.2 million.
A senior Cambodian police official in charge of online fraud investigations, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that online scams in Thailand are rising at an alarming rate. Indeed, numerous international media outlets have reported extensively on the issue since early 2025.
Most recently, Thai police conducted a swift operation targeting online fraud at a rented house in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, arresting 13 individuals. Online scams have become increasingly prevalent in Thailand, where millions of Thai citizens have fallen victim to such fraud. This is according to Thai newspaper The Nation.
On 10 February 2025, The Nation published an article based on a 2024 study by Chulalongkorn University, which revealed that 36 million Thais had been targeted by online scams, with several million having become victims.
According to the same newspaper, Thailand’s economy lost over 60 billion baht in 2024 due to online fraud. Even Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra disclosed that she had nearly fallen victim to a scam in which fraudsters used AI-generated voice impersonation of an ASEAN leader to try to convince her to donate funds on behalf of Thailand.
Media outlets covering the story include Reuters, AP News, The Diplomat, Bangkok Post, The Nation, VOA, and several others. Below is a list of the reporting media.
1. Thai police arrest 13 foreigners in an alleged $1.2M investment scam targeting Australians
Link: https://apnews.com/article/thailand-australia-investment-scam-fraud-502276cd2888240c71e5aa1aa647e9c1
2. Millions of Thais fall victim to online scams
Link: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40046127
3. Data from UNODC
Link: https://www.unodc.org/documents/Cybercrime/Presentations/THAILAND.pdf
4. Thailand Charges 100 For Involvement in Online Fraud Operations
Link: https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/thailand-charges-100-for-involvement-in-online-fraud-operations/
5. Thai scams rise 112% in 2024
Link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/2967346/thai-scams-rise-112-in-2024
6. Even I was almost fooled, says Paetongtarn on AI scam encounter
Link: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40045195
7. Thai lawmaker worries online scam center crackdown will be short-lived
Link: https://www.voanews.com/a/thai-lawmaker-worries-online-scam-center-crackdown-will-be-short-lived/8001374.html
8. Scam complaints in Thailand starting to rise again
Link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3050857/scam-complaints-in-thailand-starting-to-rise-again
9. Thailand’s Cyber Scam Crackdown: A Temporary Fix?
Link: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/thailand-s-cyber-scam-crackdown-a-temporary-fix
10. THAILAND – SOCIETY: International raid in Phuket against cybercriminals
Link: https://www.gavroche-thailande.com/thailande-societe-coup-de-filet-international-a-phuket-contre-des-cybercriminels/
11. Thailand faces surge in call centre complaints and online scams
Link: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-faces-surge-in-call-centre-complaints-and-online-scams
12. Online Fraud Cost Thailand 60 Billion Baht in 2024, Report Reveals
Link: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40048240
13. Banks, telco operators, social media platforms must co-pay online scam victims
Link: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/policy/40045647
14. Thailand and China to set up coordination centre to combat scam call networks
Link: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-china-set-up-coordination-centre-combat-scam-call-networks-2025-01-24/
=FRESH NEWS
