Bangkok: Beware! Scammers are exploiting the war by offering "free fuel coupons" to trick victims into clicking links that drain their bank accounts. The government is warning of online scams where fraudsters are exploiting the war to trick people into clicking links and draining their bank accounts.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that the Online Crime Suppression Center (AOC 1441) has warned the public to be wary of a new type of online scam that exploits the current global tensions and volatile oil prices as a tool for deception. Scammers send fake messages or advertisements offering "free fuel coupons" or "fuel discounts during the energy crisis" to trick people into clicking on links.
The deputy spokesperson said that these scams often spread through SMS, social media, or fake advertisements impersonating gas stations or well-known brands. They use attention-grabbing messages such as "Get 500 baht worth of free fuel" or "Special coupon for today only" to entice victims to click on links without verifying the information.
When victims click on the link, they are redirected to a fake website that looks similar to a real one, and are tricked into entering sensitive information such as national ID numbers, bank card details, or OTP codes. The scammers then use this information to access bank accounts or conduct financial transactions immediately, resulting in money being transferred out of the account within minutes.
Examples of victims include a 34-year-old company employee who received an SMS claiming to be a promotional offer celebrating the anniversary of a famous gas station, along with a 500 baht fuel coupon. After clicking the link and filling out her information to confirm her eligibility, she discovered that over 80,000 baht had been transferred out of her account in less than 10 minutes. In another case, an online vendor saw a fake advertisement on social media offering a 300 baht fuel coupon and lost over 50,000 baht.
The deputy spokesperson stated that the AOC center advises the public to be cautious about clicking on links from unreliable SMS messages or advertisements, and to avoid entering credit card information, passwords, or OTP codes on unsure websites. Furthermore, promotions should only be verified through the official website or social media pages of companies.
"Scammers often use strategies to create urgency situations or offer special benefits to deceive the public. Therefore, we urge the public to remain vigilant and verify information before entering important data online," Ms. Lalida said.
If members of the public are scammed online, they can report the account for suspension and request assistance via the AOC hotline 1441, or report fake news and online crime via the 1111 hotline, available 24 hours a day.