Facebook linked to 74% of reported online shopping scams in Thailand

Facebook was the platform used in 74.3% of reported online shopping scams in Thailand during 11–17 October, according to Anti Cyber Scam Center (ACSC) figures reported by the Bangkok Post. Clothing, vehicles and tourism-related purchases were the leading categories targeted.

The Royal Thai Police centre recorded 4,542 online scam complaints during the week, with combined losses of 76.3 million baht. Financial losses rose even though the number of complaints declined compared with the previous week.

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, assistant national police chief and deputy director of the ACSC, announced the figures. Line accounted for 6.5% of reported cases by platform, followed by TikTok at 6.1%.

Losses rise as complaint numbers fall

The number of complaints was down 3.1% week on week, but total losses increased by 13.3 million baht, or 21.2%.

The median loss was 2,800 baht per case. However, the centre recorded 407 cases in which losses exceeded 20,000 baht, highlighting the larger sums involved in a smaller group of complaints.

The figures describe cases reported to the centre during the week. Facebook’s 74.3% share is a share of reported scam cases by platform, not a measure of the proportion of all purchases on Facebook that were fraudulent.

Clothing, vehicles and travel purchases targeted

Clothing topped the list of fraudulent transactions, with 549 complaints. Cars and other vehicles followed with 525 cases, while tourism-related products and services accounted for about 505.

The tourism category included accommodation bookings, making it directly relevant to people arranging stays in Thailand as well as those buying other travel-related services. The published figures did not provide a separate count for accommodation scams or a breakdown by destination.

The category totals also show that the reported fraud was not confined to one type of purchase: it affected everyday shopping, vehicle transactions and travel services.

Young adults form largest victim group

People aged 20–29 were the largest victim age group, representing 28% of cases.

Women accounted for 55.8% of victims and had an average age of 34. Men represented 44.2%, with an average age of 37.

Police also identified 804 mule accounts used to receive money in at least two separate cases. Those accounts were linked to a combined 1,923 complaints.

The weekly figures showed a contrasting trend: fewer complaints reached the centre, but the financial losses recorded were substantially higher.