Thailand Alerts Public to Four Emerging Scam Trends Ahead of 2026
Government issues fresh warnings as online fraud tactics evolve, urging vigilance and digital literacy to protect citizens
Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has issued a formal warning about four major scam trends expected to intensify in 2026, highlighting the evolving nature of online fraud and its impact on Thai consumers.
Officials said the advisory is part of a broader government push to raise digital literacy, strengthen awareness of fraud tactics and reduce financial losses from emerging scams.
The ministry emphasised that increased vigilance will be crucial as scammers adopt more sophisticated methods that exploit new technologies and social behaviours.
The first category of scams involves fraudulent messages sent via SMS or popular messaging platforms such as LINE, which contain links designed to trick recipients into making payments or revealing sensitive information.
These deceptive links often mimic legitimate organisations to lure victims into transferring funds.
The second trend identified by the ministry centres on “deepfake” technology, where artificial intelligence is used to create convincing fake audio and video calls, making fraudulent demands appear authentic and increasing the risk of duped individuals complying with instructions.
A third emerging threat is bogus cryptocurrency and “digital stock” investment schemes, which promise unrealistic returns and are crafted to entice victims into investing money that ultimately cannot be recovered.
These fake investment opportunities often leverage the hype around new digital assets and unregulated trading platforms to generate trust.
The fourth area of concern involves fake profiles on social apps, including romance scams and bogus online storefronts or hotel listings, which exploit social trust to extract money or personal data from unsuspecting users.
The ministry noted that scams are commonly propagated through channels such as social media platforms, call centres, dedicated websites and short-form video apps, and urged citizens to observe a set of precautionary principles when interacting with digital content.
The “4 don’ts” approach advises individuals not to click on unverified links, not to take unsolicited claims at face value, not to act under pressure and not to transfer money without verification.
Authorities also encouraged anyone who suspects fraud or has been targeted to contact dedicated hotlines available around the clock to report incidents, block transactions and freeze accounts if necessary.
Thai officials pointed out that working-age adults have been most frequently targeted, with data showing significant numbers of scam cases involving victims between the ages of twenty and forty-nine.
The government’s advisory reflects an ongoing effort to equip the public with tools to recognise shifting scam tactics and to promote a safer digital environment as fraudulent schemes become more complex and technologically advanced.
Officials said the advisory is part of a broader government push to raise digital literacy, strengthen awareness of fraud tactics and reduce financial losses from emerging scams.
The ministry emphasised that increased vigilance will be crucial as scammers adopt more sophisticated methods that exploit new technologies and social behaviours.
The first category of scams involves fraudulent messages sent via SMS or popular messaging platforms such as LINE, which contain links designed to trick recipients into making payments or revealing sensitive information.
These deceptive links often mimic legitimate organisations to lure victims into transferring funds.
The second trend identified by the ministry centres on “deepfake” technology, where artificial intelligence is used to create convincing fake audio and video calls, making fraudulent demands appear authentic and increasing the risk of duped individuals complying with instructions.
A third emerging threat is bogus cryptocurrency and “digital stock” investment schemes, which promise unrealistic returns and are crafted to entice victims into investing money that ultimately cannot be recovered.
These fake investment opportunities often leverage the hype around new digital assets and unregulated trading platforms to generate trust.
The fourth area of concern involves fake profiles on social apps, including romance scams and bogus online storefronts or hotel listings, which exploit social trust to extract money or personal data from unsuspecting users.
The ministry noted that scams are commonly propagated through channels such as social media platforms, call centres, dedicated websites and short-form video apps, and urged citizens to observe a set of precautionary principles when interacting with digital content.
The “4 don’ts” approach advises individuals not to click on unverified links, not to take unsolicited claims at face value, not to act under pressure and not to transfer money without verification.
Authorities also encouraged anyone who suspects fraud or has been targeted to contact dedicated hotlines available around the clock to report incidents, block transactions and freeze accounts if necessary.
Thai officials pointed out that working-age adults have been most frequently targeted, with data showing significant numbers of scam cases involving victims between the ages of twenty and forty-nine.
The government’s advisory reflects an ongoing effort to equip the public with tools to recognise shifting scam tactics and to promote a safer digital environment as fraudulent schemes become more complex and technologically advanced.
