BANGKOK, Thailand – The Anti-Online Scam Operation Center, or AOC 1441, has warned that working-age adults remain the most vulnerable group to online scams in 2026, as criminal networks increasingly rely on advanced technology to deceive victims. Scammers are now using artificial intelligence, fake QR codes, and highly convincing digital impersonation to commit fraud faster and with greater precision.
Data from AOC 1441 show that in 2025, individuals aged 20 to 49 accounted for more than 405,000 reported scam cases, with financial losses totaling over 23 billion baht. This group is frequently targeted due to regular online activity and higher spending power. Common cases involved online shopping fraud, fake job or income offers, and investment schemes promoted through digital platforms.
Authorities said scam methods expected to persist include fraudulent SMS and LINE messages containing malicious links, as well as AI-generated voices and images that impersonate acquaintances or officials. Fake QR codes placed in public locations or sent electronically also pose a growing risk, often leading users to fake websites or applications that steal data or empty bank accounts.
Online investment scams continue to expand, with criminals luring victims through promises of unusually high returns and fabricated credibility. Funds transferred by victims are often moved through multiple accounts or converted into digital assets, making tracing and recovery more difficult.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and AOC 1441 urge the public to stay alert by avoiding unknown links, verifying information before sending money, and checking the source of QR codes before scanning. Anyone who encounters suspicious activity or becomes a victim is advised to report it immediately via the AOC 1441 hotline or the Thai Police online reporting system, available 24 hours a day. (NNT)
