A report released by Whoscall reveals alarming statistics, indicating Thailand faced 168 million scam phone calls and SMS texts in 2024, marking the highest level of fraud attempts witnessed over the past five years.
The report, published on February 24, 2025, by GoGoLook Thailand, highlights not only the surge of scams but also the increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by fraudsters, including the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. Manwoo Ju, CEO of GoGoLook Thailand, emphasizes the growing complexity of scams, asserting, "The trend of scams to watch out for includes impersonation of government and private agencies and various forms of financial fraud, primarily through calls, SMS, and dangerous links."
This dramatic increase is attributed to the cost-effectiveness of SMS as compared to traditional calls, which has led scammers to shift their tactics accordingly. The report indicates the total volume of reported scams correlates with significant financial losses, demonstrating the serious threat these fraud activities pose to both individuals and the economy.
Notably, the findings reveal astonishing statistics: from 2022 to the present, financial losses from these scams have exceeded 80 billion baht. Police Colonel Kriangkrai Puthai-song notes, "Scammers often exploit people's desires for wealth, leading more than 80% of Thai citizens to fall victim to unfamiliar investment offers." Such tactics clearly exploit human psychology, focusing on vulnerabilities and creating fear to manipulate victims.
Although the advancement of technology has allowed criminal schemes to flourish, Whoscall's sophisticated technology has also provided means to combat these threats. The company asserts it successfully identifies as many as 460,000 scam attempts every day, leveraging techniques from AI to bolster its defenses against fraud.
Details from the Whoscall report indicate various prevalent scams targeting Thai citizens include impersonations involving fictitious loans, fake delivery notices, and impersonations of financial institutions such as banks. These scams have not only increased but have also grown more deceptive, echoing the need for heightened public awareness and vigilance.
To combat this widespread issue, Colonel Kriangkrai is currently discussing potential measures with the Bank of Thailand to prevent financial scams from resulting in significant capital outflow. He states, "Since 2022, damages from these scams have amounted to more than 80 billion baht." This underlines the urgency of taking decisive action against fraudsters.
The report highlighted various categories of deceptive practices, particularly through electronic channels, where fraudsters utilize SMS linked to phishing schemes promising easy money, luring victims to hand over personal information and making investments. The prevalence of such fraud has prompted calls for citizens to exercise caution when engaging with unknown numbers.
With 41% of personal information reportedly leaked to the dark web, Whoscall has developed security features aimed at protecting user privacy and data integrity. The introduction of the ID Security feature has proven instrumental, enabling users to check whether their information has been compromised.
Despite the concerning trends, Whoscall remains committed to not only shielding users but also educating them on actively protecting themselves against online threats, emphasizing self-protective actions. Manwoo Ju reiterates, “With the situation of scams continually developing, Whoscall stands firm on using our effective AI technology to bolster fraud prevention efforts.”
Whoscall's message is clear: public awareness campaigns and technological advancements are necessary to battle this ever-evolving threat posed by fraudsters. Hence, users are encouraged to download the Whoscall app to utilize the screening services provided to identify unknown callers effectively.
The fight against scams requires cooperation from all sectors of society, including the government, private businesses, and the general public. It is imperative for everyone to remain vigilant and aware of the alarming sophistication of today's scams.