Close call: Thai deputy PM reveals scammer encounter
Even Thailand’s top officials aren’t immune to scammer schemes. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul shared on Thursday, January 16, that he had been targeted by a call centre scam, vowing to take decisive action against these criminal operations.
Speaking to reporters, Anutin recounted receiving a suspicious call claiming his credit card had maxed out.
“As she had a nice voice, I talked with her for about an hour. I assumed she didn’t know who I was. I always answer anyone who calls me.”
This revelation comes hot on the heels of a warning from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who narrowly avoided falling victim to an AI-powered scam by someone impersonating an ASEAN leader. With scammer operations becoming increasingly sophisticated, Thai leaders are ramping up efforts to combat the threat.
Anutin announced measures to disrupt call centre gangs, particularly those based in neighbouring countries, by cutting off their access to Thai infrastructure. He has instructed the Provincial Electricity Authority to sever power supplies if any purchasers are linked to illicit operations.
Thailand sells electricity to neighbouring nations through government and agency agreements.
“If the power was resold several times until it reached call centre gangs or drug syndicates, it’s the responsibility of that country’s government to intervene. We have never sold power directly to these illegal operations.”
With scammers growing more audacious, both Anutin and Paetongtarn are urging the public to remain vigilant. The government’s latest efforts aim to cripple the resources that enable these gangs to operate, sending a strong message to criminals exploiting cross-border infrastructure, reported The Nation.
In related news, Thai police officers safely rescued two missing Chinese women from a call centre scam gang in Myanmar and transported them back to China after the father of one of the victims travelled to Thailand to seek help.
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