Bangkok: "Big Jao" reveals that scammers have adjusted their strategy, changing their target group from the elderly to preying on university students. They falsely claim to offer scholarships abroad, spending time building trust before tricking victims into transferring money. He warned that even educated individuals can fall victim to these sophisticated tactics. Meanwhile, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) revealed that last year it seized assets worth over 20 billion baht in fraud cases against the public.
According to Thai News Agency, Police Major General Teeradet Thamsuthee, or "Big Jao," Deputy Commissioner of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police, explained that scammers remain a significant threat to Thai people. Despite previous efforts to dismantle their operations in neighboring countries, these gangs continue to adapt, shifting their bases and extending their reach within Thailand. This ongoing battle against fraud demands coordinated efforts from multiple agencies.
The methods employed by scammers have evolved with the increasing use of technology, particularly artificial intelligence. They are now capable of manipulating the faces of individuals familiar to the victims, enhancing the deception. Additionally, money laundering techniques have become more sophisticated, with criminals now cutting only the first tier of accounts before converting the laundered cash into gold jewelry to obscure financial trails.
Big Jao further disclosed that the demographic of scam victims is changing. While older adults were previously the primary targets, university students are now increasingly at risk, especially with scams promising overseas scholarships proliferating on social media platforms. These schemes involve prolonged interactions to build trust, ultimately leading many unsuspecting students to fall prey, despite their educational background.
Mr. Kamolsit Wongbutnoi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), reported that over the past year, assets worth over 20 billion baht linked to public fraud have been seized. AMLO has established legal procedures to safeguard the rights of victims, allowing them to seek compensation from the confiscated assets. A public declaration will be made to inform victims when they can apply for protection. AMLO collaborates with the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to track, investigate, and reclaim assets, ensuring that compensation is returned to victims following established protocols.