BANGKOK – Thailand’s Anti-Online Scam Operation Center (ACSC) reported that online fraud losses topped 400 million baht over the most recent seven-day period. The center also said working-age women continue to rank as the most frequent victims.
At the same time, ACSC renewed warnings about investment scams after a 46-year-old victim reportedly lost nearly 14 million baht.
On March 9, 2026, ACSC released updated case figures from reports filed through Thaipoliceonline. Between March 1 and 7, 2026, the system received 7,682 cases. Total online fraud reported losses reached 433,859,437 baht.
Compared with February 22 to 28, 2026, the number of cases increased by 312. However, total losses dropped by 25,868,806 baht. In other words, more people reported scams, but the overall damage decreased by about 5.6%.
Most reported scam types (by number of cases)
By volume, online shopping and product sale scams stayed in the top spot with 5,244 cases. That clear lead shows how often these scams happen in daily life. Scammers usually target many people at once, so the loss per case may look smaller, but the reach is wide.
Next came job scams, followed by impersonation scams, matching the previous week’s pattern.
When ACSC ranked scams by total financial damage, the order shifted again. Investment scams returned to the number one position, replacing phone intimidation scams. Reported losses from investment scams increased from 114.3 million baht to 146.6 million baht.
Job scams ranked second, with losses of more than 114.8 million baht. Meanwhile, product sale scams moved into third place by value, a change from earlier weeks when it did not appear in the top three for total losses.
ACSC Warning: How to reduce investment scam risk
ACSC urged the public to slow down before investing, because scammers often push quick decisions and promise unusually high returns. The center shared practical steps that can help reduce risk.
1) Check the investment firm first (SEC Check First)
Before investing, people can verify information using the SEC Check First app from Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). When reviewing search results, ACSC advised looking for these basics:
- The company name appears clearly in the system
- The status shows “authorized” or “still operating normally.”
- A license number appears, with the license type listed
- A real office address and contact information are shown
- Investment advisers and executives appear correctly in the system
2) Verify the account before every transfer
ACSC also stressed checking the receiving account every time money moves.
- The receiving account name must match the authorized company name. If someone asks for “investment” transfers into a personal account, it signals a scam.
- Frequent changes to receiving corporate accounts, or switching accounts used to send back “profits,” also signal a scam.
- If anything looks off, people should stop the transfer and confirm through the company’s official channels.
3) Watch out for fake apps
Scammers can create fake apps that copy names, logos, and layouts. Some may even appear in app stores. Because of that, downloading from App Store or Google Play doesn’t guarantee safety every time.
Most importantly, ACSC encouraged people to check details in SEC Check First before transferring funds. It also warned against offers that sound too good to be true, or any message that pressures an urgent decision. A few minutes of verification can prevent major losses.
Who Scammers Target Most (Recent Trends)
ACSC’s weekly analysis found women reported being victimized more often than men, similar to the prior week. The most affected age group remained 31 to 40.
When broken down by scam type, the most impacted groups were:
- Product and service purchase scams: ages 31 to 40
- Job and side-income transfer scams: ages 41 to 50
- Prize and reward transfer scams: ages 31 to 40
Quick Intervention Results
During the week, ACSC and partner agencies coordinated rapid checks on 9 cases. Officers helped stop transfers before funds reached scammers in 24 instances, totaling 2,889,300 baht. Authorities also reported arrests in 8 cases.
Two High-Impact Online Fraud Cases ACSC Highlighted
Case 1: Investment scam loss of nearly 14 million baht
ACSC’s war room coordinated with officers from Wat Phraya Krai Police Station to assist a 46-year-old man. The victim reported being contacted through a LINE account named “Phim” and invited to invest via http://www.cilistbon.com, with promises of high returns.
The victim transferred money multiple times, reporting total losses of 13,837,000 baht. After receiving the report, officers moved quickly to explain the scam method and advised the victim to collect evidence, file a police report with investigators, and work to freeze related financial channels to help track those responsible.
Case 2: Call center threats and a 2 million baht cash transfer attempt
ACSC’s war room also coordinated with the Lak Song Police Station to help a 78-year-old woman. Investigators flagged unusual activity tied to overseas transfers. The victim was reportedly threatened by a call center gang, became fearful, withdrew 2 million baht in cash, and planned to deposit it at another bank counter.
Police arrived in time, explained the situation, and told her to stop the transaction immediately. Officers then advised gathering evidence and filing an official complaint for legal action.
Police Region 4 Arrests: “Mule Account” Cash-out Group
In another case, Police Region 4 arrested four suspects linked to a group allegedly hired to withdraw funds tied to “mule accounts.” Officers detained them at a major department store in Kalasin Province and seized 300,000 baht in cash.
Investigators traced the case after spotting unusual deposit and withdrawal patterns in the area, with frequent transactions that stood out. The inquiry expanded into allegations that outsiders hired locals to open mule accounts, then traveled to withdraw cash at bank counters and ATMs.
Police said they charged the suspects under a serious “gang” allegation and planned to expand the investigation to reach organizers and additional participants.
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