In the first half of this year, Thailand recorded over 170,000 online fraud cases, resulting in losses close to 9 billion baht (about 1.115 billion MYR) for the public. The average loss per case was 52,000 baht (about 6,400 MYR).
According to Thai media reports, the Thai government is formulating multiple policies, striving to address fraudulent activities at the source.
Data released by the Thai Consumer Council shows that from January to June this year, Facebook was the main channel used by scammers, accounting for more than 61% of all cases.
The methods employed by fraudsters include setting up fake pages and accounts, publishing fraudulent investment ads, conducting goods trading scams, and impersonating individuals or institutions.
In comparison, although the number of cases on the LINE platform was lower than on Facebook, the total amount of losses caused was similar to that of Facebook. This reflects that online fraud is not limited to a single platform, but has already evolved into a digital crime chain covering ad publishing, online communication, victim inducement, and fund transfers across multiple stages.
As victims’ losses increase, the Consumer Council and some consumers have initiated lawsuits against online platforms and related financial institutions, demanding they take responsibility for consumer safety.
The Consumer Council also emphasized that the purpose of filing lawsuits is not only to seek compensation for victims, but also to promote systemic reforms and prevent other consumers from suffering similar harm.
Relevant authorities plan to implement a series of urgent and in-depth prevention measures within 90 days, with all related work expected to be completed by September 2026. Therefore, the current focus of Thailand’s fight against online fraud is no longer only on tracking down “scammers” after the fact, but is now on plugging loopholes throughout the entire fraud chain. This includes intercepting scam advertisements, cracking down on fake accounts, blocking “shell accounts,” stopping funds transfers, and tracking and returning victims’ funds to form a comprehensive online fraud governance system.