BANGKOK, Thailand – Scammers are taking advantage of the festive season to target unsuspecting victims, with a rise in fraudulent schemes reported during the New Year holidays. Common scams include fake downloads, charity donation fraud, event service scams, deceptive gift sales, and online gambling or investment cons. Authorities are urging the public to remain cautious and take preventative measures.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Polpornklang issued a warning about five prevalent scams during this period. Among them are fake New Year sticker downloads, where scammers use fraudulent links to steal LINE usernames, passwords, and personal information for unauthorized transactions or identity theft.
Another common scheme involves charity donation fraud. Karom advised the public to verify the legitimacy of charitable organizations before transferring funds, urging people to “think carefully” before donating.
Online party service fraud is also on the rise, with criminals posing as event organizers or caterers, accepting payments, and failing to deliver services. Similarly, online gift purchase scams are widespread, where buyers risk receiving substandard products or nothing at all. Karom stressed the importance of scrutinizing products and comparing prices before making purchases.
Karom emphasized the importance of staying vigilant during the holiday season. He advised the public to avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, sharing personal details, or falling for offers that seem too good to be true. Reiterating the proverb, “Nothing in life is free,” he urged everyone to remain alert and report suspicious activity to the authorities. (NNT)
