Thailand Faces Unprecedented Scam Crisis with ₿115.3 Billion Lost Annually

New research reveals 72% of Thai adults encounter scams regularly, with investment fraud leading devastating financial losses

Staggering Scale of Victimization

The research, based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 Thai adults, found that 72% of Thai adults have encountered scam attempts, with the average person facing 172 scam encounters annually – effectively one attempt every two days. Most critically, 60% of Thai adults have been successfully scammed in the last 12 months, with 14% losing money at an average of ₿12,955.6 per victim.

Investment Scams Drive Financial Devastation

Investment scams emerged as the primary threat, affecting 66% of scam victims, followed by shopping scams (63%) and employment scams (53%). The sophisticated nature of these schemes is evident in victims' explanations, with 27% stating "the scam was very realistic/believable" as the primary reason they fell victim.

Digital Platforms Become Primary Battleground

The study reveals that 73% of scam attempts occur on platforms with direct messaging capabilities, with phone calls (68%) and SMS messages (56%) serving as the most common attack vectors. Facebook dominates as the leading platform for scam encounters (66% of victims), followed by Gmail (37%) and TikTok (32%).

Children and Families Under Siege

Particularly concerning is the finding that 27% of parents report their children aged 7-17 have been scammed, highlighting how fraudsters are increasingly targeting vulnerable young people across digital platforms.

Confidence Paradox Reveals Prevention Challenges

Despite 76% of Thai adults expressing confidence in their ability to recognize scams, the research reveals a striking paradox: 66% of those who claim confidence in scam detection still fall victim. This suggests that scammer tactics are evolving faster than public awareness.

Recovery Remains Elusive Despite Reporting

While 74% of financial scam victims reported incidents to payment services, only 29% were able to recover any money. The emotional toll is significant, with 44% of victims reporting stress from their experience and 46% becoming more vigilant about future scams.

Systemic Issues in Response and Prevention

The study identifies critical gaps in Thailand's anti-scam infrastructure. When platforms do take action on reported scams, 41% of victims report either no action was taken or uncertainty about outcomes. Additionally, 31% of those who don't report scams cite uncertainty about who to contact, revealing significant coordination challenges.

Financial Infrastructure Exploited

Scammers predominantly exploit traditional financial channels, with wire and bank transfers accounting for 73% of fraudulent transactions, followed by digital/e-wallet payments (21%). This concentration suggests opportunities for enhanced prevention measures within the banking sector.

Click here to access GASA’s complete The State of Scams in Thailand 2025 report