Bangkok: The government is cracking down on scammers, intensifying efforts to block "mock accounts" and allowing the return of funds to victims without requiring a court ruling. The crackdown begins August 12th. According to Thai News Agency, the government is pushing forward with its crackdown on scammers, intensifying efforts to block "mock accounts," centralizing databases, and expediting the return of funds to victims through the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) system without requiring a court order. This will take effect from August 12, 2026.
Today (August 10, 2026), Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the government is moving forward with its crackdown on scammers, upgrading measures to block "mock accounts," centralizing databases, expediting the return of funds to victims, and continuing its plan to build public immunity against scams. The Committee on Prevention and Suppression of Technological Crime and the Sub-Committee on Prevention of Technological Crime and Transnational Crime have considered draft guidelines for announcing and revoking the names of individuals involved in technological crime (mock accounts), as well as guidelines for data integration and collaboration among agencies under Section 13 of the Emergency Decree on Prevention and Suppression of Technological Crime.
Ms. Ploytalee stated that the draft guidelines will help improve the crackdown on mule accounts. Once the owner of a mule account is identified, all transaction channels (mobile banking, ATM, online transactions) for all accounts at all banks will be suspended. The account will also be blacklisted, prohibiting it from opening new bank accounts. Proactive measures will be taken to suspend high-risk accounts, even if no victims have filed a complaint, to prevent funds from being transferred out. She noted that data shows an increasing number of scammers are tricking children and youth into opening bank accounts, leading the Bank of Thailand to begin establishing guidelines limiting daily transfer/payment amounts through bank accounts and e-money for youth aged 12-18 to between 3,000 and 10,000 baht per day, depending on age. This is expected to be finalized by October 2026.
Regarding the guidelines for refunding victims under the Ministerial Regulation, the meeting will expedite the process of establishing criteria so that victims can immediately submit requests for refunds through the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) system without waiting for a court order. This is to ensure timely implementation before the Ministerial Regulation comes into effect on August 12, 2026. AMLO will be the lead agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), the Royal Thai Police, the Bank of Thailand (BOT), the Thai Bankers' Association, TEPA/e-Money, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Digital Asset Entrepreneurs Association. A comprehensive and urgent measure will be implemented within 90 days, to be completed by September 2026.
'Such enhanced measures may affect innocent citizens. If individuals whose accounts have been unintentionally suspended, they can contact the AOC hotline 1441, press 2 to verify their identity. The bank will then expedite the investigation and unblock their accounts as soon as possible. Furthermore, if any individual is found to be involved in fraudulent money trails at any bank, the system will immediately suspend that person's accounts at all banks,' Ms. Ploytalee said.