BANGKOK, Thailand – Officials revealed that the Anti-Online Crime Operation Center (AOC) hotline received 1,300 calls regarding temporarily frozen bank accounts, but only 300 calls provided sufficient information for verification. Of those, just 30 accounts were confirmed as genuine, while the remaining 270 were suspected “fake accounts” used by scammers to pressure authorities.
Visit Visitsorasat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), said the ministry, in coordination with the Bank of Thailand, Thai Bankers’ Association, Anti-Money Laundering Office, and technology crime police, is working to quickly unfreeze accounts of affected legitimate users.
The AOC hotline operates 100 lines 24/7, with plans to expand capacity. Citizens are urged to provide complete details—including full name, bank account number, and 13-digit ID number—to facilitate verification. Officials emphasized that only suspicious transaction amounts are frozen, not entire accounts, and the measures comply with the Emergency Decree on Technology Crime.
Vissit noted that large companies and small businesses alike may be affected by temporary freezes, and no preferential treatment is given. Genuine accounts can typically be released within half a day once verified. (TNA)
