Thailand has emerged as one of the top three countries in the Asia-Pacific region, experiencing a sharp increase in financial fraud scams last year, as highlighted in Google’s 2023 Bad Apps Report. The report attributes this surge to the high smartphone penetration in the region, which exceeds 90%, making it a prime target for online fraud.
Scammers in Thailand often exploit the public’s trust in authority, impersonating officials from government agencies or banks to deceive victims. The method has proven effective due to the digital literacy gap prevalent in the region, which is more pronounced among older mobile phone users. However, a Google survey indicated that younger individuals, specifically those between the ages of 25 and 34, are increasingly vulnerable to such scams in Thailand, as well as in other regional countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
To counteract these threats, Google has introduced several security enhancements in Thailand. These include an upgraded Google Message feature to protect against social engineering tactics and the rollout of Google Play Protect. The latter feature blocks the installation of apps that attempt to access sensitive device permissions, typically exploited for fraudulent purposes.
Phishing apps, especially those masquerading as legitimate banking institutions, have caused substantial financial losses in Thailand. The Bank of Thailand reported losses exceeding a billion baht in 2023 alone. (NNT)
