Bangkok: "Supamas" warns of rampant "gas station investment scams" and orders the Consumer Protection Board to expedite assistance to victims who have lost millions of baht. Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also the Minister of Interior, is concerned about the impact of the situation in the Middle East and has instructed all agencies to expedite assistance and resolve the problems affecting the public in all aspects. In her capacity as supervisor of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), she has been informed of complaints regarding entrepreneurs who deceived people into investing in gas station construction by falsely claiming credibility from "well-known brands" and using social media.
According to Thai News Agency, online platforms are used for advertising and solicitation, but the businesses in question are not legitimate. Therefore, the Consumer Protection Board has been instructed to urgently investigate and verify these activities. The Consumer Protection Board promptly coordinated information with investigators at the Crime Suppression Division.
The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) has learned that on April 24, 2026, six victims filed a complaint against a business owner who advertised the construction of complete gas stations with integrated systems to attract landowners seeking to generate income. However, after the victims paid, they found that the work was stalled or substandard, preventing the obtaining of permits from government agencies. The total damages amount to several million baht. Furthermore, the ECSD has discovered that the business is still actively advertising and soliciting buyers on the aforementioned platform.
Ms. Supamas stated that this case reflects an evolving pattern of fraud that exploits brand credibility and social media as tools to build public trust. The damage includes both property damage and loss of investment confidence. Therefore, the Consumer Protection Board has been instructed to urgently coordinate with relevant agencies to take strict action to protect consumers and prevent recurrence.
The Secretary-General of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) has received the instructions and has instructed to expedite coordination with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECSD) to provide information and closely monitor the progress of the case. They will also investigate the facts regarding advertising that may constitute consumer fraud. At the same time, the CPB will monitor and regulate online advertising. If any actions are found to violate the law, legal measures will be taken. The public is urged to verify the credibility of businesses and be cautious of investments that make false brand claims or offer exaggerated returns. If losses occur, complaints can be filed or advice sought through the CPB hotline 1166 or via the CPB's online channels, 24 hours a day.