Bangkok: Deputy government spokesperson has issued a warning about five prevalent scams from online scammers during the Songkran Festival. The warning highlights statistics from seven cases where individuals were deceived, with the most common scam involving ‘buying and selling goods-services-transferring money to receive prizes.’ The spokesperson emphasizes the importance of vigilance to avoid falling victim to these scams.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Government Spokesperson Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak explained that fraudsters have been leveraging modern technology to evolve their tactics during the Songkran Festival, which is marked by multiple consecutive holidays. Scammers are employing various methods, including posing as transport companies, banks, or government agencies. They send messages through SMS or applications like LINE and Facebook, falsely claiming issues such as ‘parcels being stuck’ or ‘abnormal accounts,’ and include fraudulent links that extract personal information and money from unsuspecting victims’ bank accounts.
Another prevalent scam involves the fraudulent booking of accommodation or travel tickets. Scammers set up fake websites offering promotions with unbelievably low prices, tricking people into transferring money in advance before shutting down the channels or blocking further contact. Additionally, scammers hack into Facebook or LINE accounts to impersonate friends or relatives, asking for money under false pretenses like car breakdowns or medical emergencies.
Scammers also create fake links with names similar to legitimate agencies, promising assistance or gifts related to Songkran, leading victims to fake websites designed to steal personal information. Moreover, the festival sees a rise in online product sales scams, where scammers create fake pages selling festival-related products such as water guns and clothing, offering enticing promotions to prompt immediate money transfers.
Statistics from February 2025 reveal over 25,000 reported online scam cases, with the top seven scams including fraudulent purchase and sale of goods or services, fraudulent money transfers for rewards, and fraudulent investments via computer systems. Mr. Anukol emphasized public adherence to the ‘4 No’s’: not clicking on links, not believing fraudulent claims, not rushing into decisions, and not transferring money without thorough verification. Victims of online scams are advised to report and suspend affected accounts through the AOC 1441 center, available 24/7.