Over the past two years, Thais have lost more than 50 billion baht to online criminals. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) has unveiled the "4 Don'ts" principle, urging everyone to memorize it to avoid becoming victims.
In an era where online crime is rising and becoming increasingly severe, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), through its Anti-Online Crime Operation Center (AOC 1441), has implemented policies led by Minister Chaiyachon Chitchob. Working with related agencies including the Royal Thai Police, Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers' Association, Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, and others, they coordinate under the Technology Crime Prevention and Suppression Committee as per Section 13 of the Emergency Decree. Their goal is to prevent and suppress scammers troubling the public. They urge citizens to follow the “4 Don'ts” principle: “Don't click links, Don't believe, Don't rush, Don't transfer money” to enhance safety and avoid becoming victims. This principle is a simple, memorable guideline everyone can easily apply to protect themselves from online crime.
According to data from the Anti-Online Crime Operation Center (AOC), since its launch on 1 November 2023 until 9 January 2026—over two years—2,727,833 victims have reported online scams by phone. Authorities have been able to halt transactions in 1,137,852 cases, with total damages exceeding 50.197 billion baht. The most common scam types include fake buying and selling of goods/services, money transfers to claim prizes, money transfers promising extra income, and fraudulent loan offers.
Minister Chaiyachon Chitchob of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) explained that the “4 Don'ts” principle was designed for easy public recall and compliance, covering all aspects of protection against scammers.
1. Don't click links – Beware of hidden traps.
Fake links sent via SMS, email, or various applications are the main channels scammers use to steal personal information. The government, through the DE Ministry, has ordered state agencies to stop sending SMS and emails with links attached. Therefore, the public is warned not to click on links claiming to be from government agencies or links accompanied by alarming messages such as “Your account has been suspended. Please verify within 24 hours” or “You have won a prize. Click to claim immediately.”
Tip: To access official websites of government agencies, banks, or other organizations, always type the URL directly or use their official applications only.
2. Don't believe – Always verify information.
In the era of AI and Deepfake technology, fake images and voices can be very realistic. Scammers may impersonate bank officers, police, or even acquaintances calling to ask for help.
“Don’t believe everything you see or hear. Always call back using official numbers to verify. Be cautious of news that causes panic or seems too good to be true.” Take time to thoroughly research before trusting information.
3. Don't rush – Stop and think before deciding.
A key tactic of scammers is to create anxiety and pressure victims into making quick decisions without thinking clearly, such as “Offer ends in 10 minutes” or “If you don’t transfer money today, you will be prosecuted.”
Advice: Pause, stay calm, and think carefully. Consult family or trusted friends before acting on any instructions. There is no urgent or true matter that cannot wait a moment. Always exercise caution before deciding.
4. Don't transfer money – Beware of losing money and personal data.
If you receive SMS messages or calls urging urgent money transfers, stay calm and verify the legitimacy of the activity. Confirmation via OTP codes is key to transactions. Authentic banks and agencies will confirm through OTP, which must never be shared with others. The same applies to all personal data codes.
AOC 1441 reported example cases of online crimes affecting the public to raise awareness about scams involving money transfers for extra income, prize claims, and online investment fraud.
One victim was scammed out of 1,360,519 baht after seeing a Facebook ad offering extra income jobs. The victim added the scammer on LINE, was invited to a LINE group, and was told to transfer money to create a revolving credit, with promises of returns and commissions. The victim transferred the money but was unable to withdraw funds later. The scammer claimed a transaction error and demanded more money to unlock the system, but even after paying again, withdrawal remained impossible.
Another victim lost 800,000 baht after being scammed by a fake Facebook ad of a labor recruitment company offering overseas jobs. The victim added the scammer on LINE and was asked to send personal documents and pay various fees. After all payments, the victim was told the paperwork was incomplete and had to pay again. Suspecting fraud, the victim checked the company’s name and found the page was fake.
Besides the “4 Don'ts” preventive measures, DE and related agencies are implementing other actions, including:
. The “4 Don'ts” are a fundamental guideline for the public to follow, but the most important factors are awareness, caution, and regularly updating knowledge about new scam tactics. Online crime is not distant from anyone, so it is essential for the public to build an online defense to reduce risks from scammers.
If the public falls victim to online scams, they should call AOC 1441 to report, halt, and freeze accounts.
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