New ‘Dee-Delivery’ regulation to combat COD fraud epidemic

With online scams skyrocketing, the Government of Thailand is stepping in to crack down on delivery fraud. Enter the new Dee-Delivery regulation, designed to shield cash-on-delivery (COD) shoppers from getting duped.

According to Minister Jiraporn Sindhuprai from the Prime Minister’s Office, this drastic move comes after a jaw-dropping 365,000 scam cases were reported in the last 18 months, causing financial losses of 45 billion baht. With e-commerce crimes making up 40% of these incidents, it’s clear that something had to give.

But the Dee-Delivery regulation isn’t just a band-aid. It’s part of a broader government strategy to tackle online scams head-on. To back it up, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) has launched the Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC). This new body will act swiftly to freeze bank accounts linked to fraudulent activities and help victims recover their money faster.

The regulation itself tightens the screws on COD services. From now on, delivery companies must include key details on packages, like the sender’s information, tracking numbers, and a description of the item. To add another layer of protection, the government is introducing a five-day payment hold. This grace period gives buyers time to inspect their purchases and request refunds if something’s amiss.

Kicking off today, October 3, the Dee-Delivery regulation promises to give scammers a run for their money and make online shopping safer for everyone, reported Pattaya Mail.

“This is a critical step towards consumer protection in e-commerce.”

In related news, local administrative organisations (LAOs) have emerged as the primary culprits behind the most significant personal data leaks among state agencies, according to the MDES. The MDES conducted an extensive review of 31,561 state-run units from last November to August 27, uncovering a total of 6,086 instances of personal data breaches.

In other news, Chiang Mai police swooped on a fraudulent online accommodation booking scam gang, arresting a key figure in Sa Kaeo. The operation aimed to boost tourist confidence during the high season by targeting tech-based crimes.