On March 30, according to Thai media, Major Suriwa, the deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, stated that General Chidira, the chief of the Royal Thai Police, expressed concern for the victims of the earthquake and reminded the public to be vigilant against criminals who may exploit the disaster to commit fraud, further exacerbating the losses of the affected people.
The Thai police have specifically summarized the following five common fraud tactics, reminding the public to be cautious:
1. Personal information theft fraud: Fraudsters impersonate government or related rescue organizations, asking disaster victims to fill in personal information to apply for aid, thereby stealing sensitive personal information such as ID cards and bank cards.
2. Inducing the installation of malicious apps that steal funds: Fraudsters send fake links through SMS, social media, etc., falsely claiming that installing the app will allow them to receive relief funds, but in reality, they use malicious software to remotely control the victim's phone and steal bank account funds.
3. Impersonating charitable organizations to solicit donations: Fraudsters exploit the public's willingness to help, launching fundraising campaigns on social media or other platforms under the guise of charitable organizations, deceiving kind-hearted people out of their money.
4. Impersonating government officials to commit fraud: Fraudsters claim to be government disaster relief personnel or related department staff, asking victims to pay a fee or verify their identity under the guise of providing assistance or subsidies, but in reality, they are stealing money.
5. Spreading false information to create panic: Criminals use social media to spread false information related to the earthquake, such as using old photos or disaster images not from this earthquake, exaggerating or misleading information to create public panic, thereby committing fraud or manipulating public opinion.
The Thai police remind the public to be vigilant when receiving and forwarding information, verify the authenticity of the information, and not to trust unknown calls or unclear links, especially when filling out personal information. If suspicious fraudulent activities are discovered or if one has been defrauded, reports can be made through the Royal Thai Police's online reporting center or by calling the hotline 1441, where the police will handle related cases 24 hours a day.
