The Royal Thai Police warn that a call center gang is impersonating home goods and construction material stores to fraudulently reclaim product payments, tricking victims into transferring money.
On 23 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deephor, deputy spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, stated that Pol. Gen. Kittirat Punpetch, the national police chief, is concerned for the public. Recent online complaint statistics show a rise in call center scams where criminals impersonate employees of construction material shops or home goods department stores. They claim that previously purchased products are defective or damaged and offer refunds. If victims believe them, they may be tricked into transferring fees or installing remote-control apps (money-siphoning apps), leading to significant financial losses.
The Royal Thai Police thus warn the public to avoid falling victim to scammers impersonating construction and home goods stores, with the following advice:
1. Never transfer money based on such claims because legitimate stores or department stores do not have policies requiring advance fees or processing charges in exchange for refunding defective products.
2. Do not click on unknown links or install unfamiliar applications, as scammers often send links via SMS or chat apps to deceive victims into installing remote-control apps (money-siphoning apps).
3. Do not disclose personal or financial information. Sharing important details such as ID card numbers, bank account numbers, passwords, or OTP codes with unknown callers creates vulnerabilities and increases the risk of unauthorized access to financial accounts.
4. Verify information directly with the stores or department stores. If you receive suspicious calls, hang up immediately and contact the official customer service number of the store yourself to confirm the details.
If the public notices or suffers losses from such scams, they can file complaints online at www.thaipoliceonline.go.th or call the 24-hour hotline 1441.