Scam calls targeting individuals, including world leaders, are a prevalent issue, with even the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, falling victim to a scam call impersonating another leader. The caller used AI to mimic the voice of a country leader and attempted to solicit a donation through text messages and phone calls. Scams are a major problem in Southeast Asia, with many people trafficked into online criminal activities, such as pig-butchering scams, that defraud individuals of money. The United States has also been impacted by scam operations in Southeast Asia, with an estimated loss of $3.5 billion in 2023.
Recently, a Chinese actor was rescued near the Thai-Myanmar border after being deceived into a scam operation. The case highlighted the need for regional cooperation to combat online scams, which pose a threat to public safety and tourism in Thailand. Chinese and Thai authorities have already made arrests in connection with scam operations that resulted in Chinese nationals going missing.
Prime Minister Shinawatra emphasized the importance of addressing online scams to protect the public and preserve Thailand’s tourism industry. The rise of online scams in Southeast Asia underscores the need for international collaboration to combat fraudulent activities and protect individuals from falling victim to scams.
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