The government warns about a new type of online scam where criminals exploit the ongoing war and fluctuating oil prices by falsely offering “free fuel refill coupons” to trick people into clicking links that drain money from their bank accounts.
On 16 March 2026, Ms. Lalida Pertwiwatthana, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Anti-Online Crime Center (AOC 1441) has alerted the public to a new online scam. This scam exploits global tensions and unstable oil prices as a lure. Criminals send fake messages or advertisements claiming to offer “free fuel refill coupons” or “fuel discounts during the energy crisis” to trick people into clicking malicious links.
The Deputy Spokesperson explained that this scam often spreads via SMS, social media, or fake ads impersonating well-known gas stations or brands. They use enticing messages such as “Claim your free 500-baht fuel refill” or “Special coupons available today only” to rush victims into clicking links without proper verification.
When clicking the link, victims are taken to a fake website resembling the real one and are deceived into entering sensitive data like their ID card number, bank card information, or OTP codes. The criminals then use this information to access bank accounts or conduct financial transactions immediately, resulting in money being transferred out within minutes.
There are reported cases of victims, including a 34-year-old company employee who received an SMS claiming to offer a free 500-baht fuel coupon celebrating a famous gas station’s anniversary. After clicking the link and submitting information to confirm eligibility, he found more than 80,000 baht had been withdrawn from his account in under 10 minutes. Another case involved an online seller who saw a fake social media ad offering a 300-baht fuel coupon and lost over 50,000 baht.
The Deputy Spokesperson urged the public to be cautious when clicking links from suspicious SMS or advertisements and to avoid entering card details, passwords, or OTPs on unverified websites. People should verify promotions only through official company websites or pages.
“Scammers often create a sense of urgency or special benefits to deceive the public. Therefore, we urge everyone to stay calm and carefully verify information before submitting sensitive data online,” she said.
If anyone falls victim to online scams, they can report and request account suspension assistance by calling the AOC hotline at 1441 or report fake news and online crimes through the 1111 hotline, available 24 hours a day.