BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) is preparing to launch the “DE-fence” platform in early 2025 to tackle fraudulent calls and text messages as part of broader efforts to combat call center scams.
Integrating with databases from telecom operators, the Royal Thai Police, the Anti-Money Laundering Office, and the Anti-Online Scam Operation Center, the platform will notify users whether incoming calls or messages are verified, suspicious, or confirmed fraudulent. Users will also be able to report scams online and request the freezing of criminal bank accounts through the AOC 1441 hotline, enabling rapid intervention by law enforcement.
DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong explained that the platform would categorize phone numbers into three lists: a black list for confirmed scam numbers, a gray list for suspicious numbers from overseas or internet-based sources, and a white list for verified government or approved contacts. The initial development phase will prioritize the white list to ensure reliable identification of legitimate calls and messages.
Between October 2023 and September 2024, Thailand recorded over 330,000 reports of technology-related crimes, with losses estimated at 37 billion baht. (NNT)
