Bangkok: Senator Phinyapatch Sansaneechivin highlighted in parliament the fraudulent activities of scammers sending fake fuel coupon SMS messages to swindle money from the public during the energy crisis.

According to Thai News Agency, Senator Phinyapatch raised concerns about fraudsters exploiting the ongoing energy crisis by distributing fake fuel coupons, which has led to significant financial losses for unsuspecting citizens. These scammers impersonate major gas station brands, offering bogus coupons worth 500 or 1,000 baht through SMS messages. This scheme has resulted in numerous victims, particularly middle-aged individuals supporting their families, who have seen their bank accounts drained within minutes of interacting with the fraudulent messages.

Senator Phinyapatch emphasized that these scams have escalated dramatically, with fraudsters creating a sense of urgency and using credible brand names to deceive the public. They also exploit personal information, the origins of which remain unidentified. The links provided in the SMS messages enable scammers to access banking applications through OTP codes or install malicious apps to remotely steal money. Senator Phinyapatch urged relevant agencies to address this issue, stressing that the government must implement protective measures for citizens.

The report included recommendations for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to bolster security measures. It also called on the Royal Thai Police and the AOC 1441 center to improve their proactive operational efficiency, and urged the Bank of Thailand and the Thai Bankers Association to continuously enhance the security systems of banking applications. Furthermore, it suggested that the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Energy collaborate with gas station operators to provide clear information, enabling the public to differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent offers.