The trend has been increasing since 2022, Pol Col Kritsada said, but the impact of scam calls and online fraud took a huge leap last year.
“In 2022, 1,365 victims in Phuket reported losses amounting to B10.9mn. By 2023, this number had increased to 3,538 victims, with damages reaching B18.8mn,” he told The Phuket News..
“But in 2024, a staggering 5,510 people fell victim to scam calls, with reported losses soaring to B413mn,” he added.
The jump in the number of victims, and the baht amount in losses, has prompted the TCSD to issue a fresh round of public warnings about scams, and issue guidelines on how to protect oneself from such criminals, Pol Col Krtisada said.
NATIONAL THREAT
The TCSD operates under the better-known Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), which was established by Royal Decree in September 2020 after cyber crime and online fraud was specifically deemed to be a threat to national security.
As Director of the TCSD Region 5 branch, Pol Col Kritsada oversees operations to fight cyber crime in all 14 provinces in Southern Thailand, including Phuket.
Pol Col Kritsada pointed out that In January 2025 alone, Thailand recorded 31,165 cases of technology-related fraud, averaging 1,005 cases per day.
“Among these, fraudulent online sales accounted for 55.88% of incidents, with victims losing over B145mn,” he told The Phuket News.
Other common scams included job offer fraud, prize claim fraud, call centre scams, loan fraud and investment scams, with total damages surpassing B2 billion ‒ again, in just the first month of this year.
In response, police during January froze 10,410 bank accounts linked to fraudulent activities, seizing assets worth approximately B448mn, Pol Col Kritsada said.
Just last week, the CCIB confirmed that it received more than 200,000 online fraud complaints with total losses of about B29 billion over the last 11 months.
Citing a report by the Thai Journalists Association, CCIB Cyber Support Unit inspector Pol Lt Col Thanatat Kangruambut said the fraud operations had cost people at least B100mn per day.
Officers have managed to recover just 10% of the victims’ money, he said.
SCAM EVOLUTION
Meanwhile, scam tactics targetting people in Phuket have evolved, targeting victims through fraudulent buying and selling, fake job opportunities and financial fraud, Pol Col Kritsada noted.
“In 2022, scams mainly involved fake sales calls and misleading work-from-home offers. By 2023, online financial fraud became more sophisticated, and fake sales increased,” he said.
“In 2024, scammers shifted towards fraudulent lending schemes and deceptive investment offers, while fake sales of products and services remained the most common,” he added.
The scam calls have evolved significantly, with fraudsters now using personal phone numbers. “They also impersonate government agencies to instill fear,” Pol Col Kritsada said.
“Common tactics include requesting ID card details, credit card details, important documents or money transfers under the pretense of expediting a case,” he explained.
“I think what all people should know is that official notifications from government agencies are delivered as physical letters, not phone calls or Line messages,” he noted.
Pol Col Kritsada strongly pointed out that the CCIB, and hence the TCSD, both emphasise that they do not accept reports through Line and warned against scammers posing as officers to extract personal information.
Pol Col Kritsada also advised individuals to verify the legitimacy of a suspicious call by hanging up and blocking the number.
“Scammers typically use disposable ’Sim Box’ numbers that cannot receive incoming calls,” he said.
“I recommend using caller ID applications like Whoscall, Call Blocker, and TrueCaller to identify potential scam calls and block suspicious numbers,” Pol Col Kritsada suggested.
Fraudsters often obtain victims’ personal data through various means, including data breaches, leaked databases and untrustworthy telecom agents selling customer information, he added.
“They can get our information from job applications, online surveys and investment schemes are also common tactics used to collect personal details,” he warned.
In some cases, insiders at financial institutions have been found selling customer data to criminal networks, he said.
REPORT THEM
“If you become a victim, report it to the local police. They will assess the damage and work with ‘cyber police’ [CCIB and TCSD] to investigate further,” Pol Col Krisada urged.
“If foreigners or Thais receive scam calls and fall victim, the first step is to report the case at any local police station or contact 1441 to freeze the bank account,” Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum told The Phuket News.
“The 1441 hotline is an integrated initiative involving law enforcement, financial institutions and telecom providers. It aims to expedite case processing and provide a one-stop service for victims,” he explained.
“The centre assists in freezing scam-related accounts, tracking case progress and increasing the efficiency of arrests and prosecutions,” he added.
Pol Col Kritsada assured, “As cybercrime continues to evolve, we remain committed to strengthening enforcement measures, educating the public and dismantling scam networks.
“The fight against online fraud requires ongoing vigilance, cooperation from financial institutions and public awareness to minimize risks and protect individuals from falling victim to cybercriminals,” he concluded.