Cyber police reveal statistics showing that online job scams and online missions have surged past investment fraud cases. They warn to be cautious of arranged meetings near the border and to block transnational scammer groups involved.
At 14:30 on 4 Mar 2026 at the Technology Crime Suppression Division headquarters in Muang Thong Thani, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chatchapantakan Klaiklueng, Deputy Commander of the division, disclosed that current technology crime statistics show a rising trend in scams involving invitations to work or perform online tasks, which have overtaken investment fraud cases that previously held the highest numbers.
Specifically, in January 2026, cases involving scams to perform activities such as liking, sharing, or completing online missions outnumbered investment fraud cases, even though investment fraud had historically caused greater financial damage and ranked first. This reflects scammers adapting their methods to target people in new ways.
The deputy commander added that the Royal Thai Police have established the Anti Cyber Scam Center to monitor and analyze transaction data and crime patterns. They have found links and inconsistencies in conversation transcripts across multiple cases, indicating organized criminal operations.
Regarding investment scams, most originate from social media platforms, especially Facebook. Meta has consulted with Pol. Lt. Gen. Jiraphop Phuridej, head of the Anti Cyber Scam Center, to jointly develop solutions. Despite legal differences between the US and Thailand, Meta Facebook Thailand will assist by coordinating backend efforts to investigate accounts linked to investment scams, including on Instagram and other applications used for crimes.
Additionally, cooperation has been intensified to expedite blocking online gambling websites. Cyber police will provide information to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to petition courts for site closures, relying on collaboration with foreign platforms to enforce these actions.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepor, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division 1, added that current scams involving job offers often arrange meetings with victims near border areas, especially in Sa Kaeo and Chanthaburi provinces, which border Cambodia and have natural crossing points.
The Royal Thai Police have implemented border area prevention measures by coordinating with provincial police, immigration officers, border patrol police, the Burapha Task Force, and hotel and accommodation operators to monitor and block attempts to recruit Thai nationals as scammers.
Previously, call center groups or scammers would take Thai victims across the border to Cambodia to perform face scans, open accounts, and receive money. Now, some groups have started renting hotel rooms near the border to conduct face scans on site. Authorities request resort and hotel operators in border areas to promptly report any suspicious groups renting rooms or bringing large amounts of equipment.
Furthermore, currency exchange companies, even if legally registered, are warned that exchanging large amounts of cash into foreign currencies or digital currencies without authorization constitutes illegal activity. Scammer networks often use such channels for money laundering. Those found involved may face charges for participating in transnational crime organizations, money laundering, and submitting false information into computer systems.
Special caution is advised when individuals or groups, especially foreigners, exchange large sums of cash. Thorough verification before proceeding is necessary to avoid becoming tools of criminal organizations.
Currently, checkpoints and roadblocks have been established to prevent travel for scammer work. Police have also alerted provincial police and local stations to vigilantly monitor suspicious individuals, following strict policies set by the Royal Thai Police.