Over 28% of Thais hit by fraud as AI scams soar

Thailand is facing a scam epidemic, with more than a quarter of its citizens falling victim to fraudsters in just the past year, a bombshell report has revealed. A staggering 28% of Thais have lost money, according to new data from Whoscall developer Gogolook, in collaboration with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and ScamAdviser.

The survey of over 9,000 Thais found that 58% have seen a rise in scamming attempts since last year, with an alarming 89% encountering scams monthly, said Manwoo Joo, CEO of Gogolook Thailand.

“Despite ongoing prevention efforts, Thailand remains one of the most fertile areas for scammers.”

The average loss? A heart-wrenching 36,000 baht per victim.

Even more shocking, 39% of victims were scammed within minutes of first contact and only 2% managed to recover their money. A massive 71% were left empty-handed, unable to reclaim any of their lost funds. Beyond the financial devastation, the psychological toll is severe, with 73% of respondents admitting they’ve been deeply affected.

Scammers are evolving fast. While phone calls and texts remain the top methods, platforms like Facebook (55%) and LINE (43%) are becoming breeding grounds for fraud. Identity theft has exploded, now making up 22% of scams, surpassing traditional shopping scams at 19%. Shockingly, many con artists pose as police officers, manipulating victims into handing over cash.

AI is adding a new layer of danger, with 66% of participants reporting AI-generated scam messages. Despite increased awareness, the situation is dire, said GASA’s Jorji Abraham.

“The economic and emotional impact highlights the need for urgent action.”

In response, Gogolook is boosting efforts through its Whoscall app and will work with GASA at the upcoming Global Anti-Scam Summit to fight back, reported The Nation.

In related news, Thai police apprehended a young woman impersonating a Thai diplomat in Canada, accused of scamming a student out of 6 million baht using fake passport allegations.

Following directives from Police General Kittirat Phanphet and Police Lieutenant General Thatchai Pitaneelabut, who are focused on eradicating criminal organisations causing public distress, the online patrol unit of the Metropolitan Investigation Bureau unearthed a call centre scam network.