Thailand Intensifies Fight Against Online Fraud
A heightened crackdown on online fraud and call centre scams is in motion in Thailand, as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directs increased vigilance. The Prime Minister’s call for action comes after he was personally targeted by scammers. To combat this rising menace, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has provided guidelines for the public to follow, in order to avoid falling prey to these increasingly intricate scams.
In a bid to assist victims of online fraud, the Thai government has introduced a dedicated hotline, 1441, for individuals within the country to report incidents and seek help.
Simultaneously, the DES Ministry has initiated an accelerated investigation into allegations of hacking the government’s database, which contains the personal information of millions of Thai citizens. There have been reports suggesting that this sensitive data is being sold online. It was revealed that last year, approximately 30 million Thai citizens’ personal data was available for purchase on RaidForums.
However, DES Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong has expressed skepticism regarding the claims, noting that exaggerated reports are not uncommon. He also confirmed that the Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), and the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) are leading the efforts to handle the situation.
In addition to these measures, the ministry is exploring innovative methods of scam detection. Mobile network providers are now capable of flagging SIM cards that exhibit unusually high call volumes within a short period of time. This abnormal behavior is often associated with scammers.
To combat online fraud and call center scams, the ministry has devised a comprehensive strategy. In the short term, the PDPC Eagle Eye surveillance center was established to proactively monitor potential leaks of personal information. From November 9 to November 20, the center reviewed data handling procedures of 3,119 government agencies and private organizations, finding 1,158 of them inadequate.
The identified organizations have been urged to rectify the issues, and as a result, 781 have already made the necessary corrections. Furthermore, the PDPC discovered at least three instances of personal information theft and illegal sales to other parties, as reported by The Bangkok Post.
Legal action is currently underway against those involved in these three cases, and PDPC Eagle Eye is conducting a more rigorous inspection of approximately 9,000 organizations to detect further misuse and abuse of personal information.
The Thai government is determined to track down and prosecute individuals involved in the illegal sale of personal data. In cases where the culprits are suspected to be in other countries, the police will seek assistance from Interpol.
With a steadfast resolve to protect its citizens, Thailand is intensifying its fight against online fraud. By implementing measures such as public awareness campaigns, a dedicated hotline, and innovative scam detection methods, the government aims to mitigate the risks associated with online scams and protect the personal information of its citizens.
