Phra pradaeng: A 74-year-old grandmother narrowly avoided a significant financial loss in a scam operation, thanks to the swift coordination between the Anti-Online Fraud Center (ACSC) and Phra Pradaeng Police Station.
According to Thai News Agency, the elderly woman attempted to change her account from a fixed deposit to a savings account and withdraw 5 million baht at a bank counter. Observant bank staff found the transaction suspicious, refused the withdrawal, and alerted the ACSC and local police, who intervened to halt the scam attempt.
Investigations revealed that the victim had been deceived by a caller impersonating a police officer from Khelang Nakhon Police Station in Lampang Province. The imposter claimed her account was linked to a drug case and instructed her to either travel to Lampang for an account inspection or withdraw the funds for collection by a supposed police lieutenant. The caller insisted on secrecy, warning her not to disclose the situation to anyone, citing it as a state secret.
Prompt action by Phra Pradaeng Police Station officers led to contacting the victim's nephew to ensure her safety. The victim's relatives expressed gratitude to the police and bank staff for their intervention, urging others to stay vigilant against such scams. They advised anyone facing similar situations to refrain from communication, avoid sharing information, and report immediately to the AOC hotline 1441 to thwart criminal activities.