Thread: Thais in UK warned of scam calls

The Thai Embassy in London has warned Thais living in the United Kingdom about the scam calls, stating that it has no policy to call and ask for personal information.


It issued the warning on its Facebook page following complaints from Thai residents.


According to the embassy, scammers have manipulated the caller ID of the embassy (0207-589-2944), to make it appear that the call is from the embassy.

It advises Thais in the UK should avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers, as they may be from scammers. Additionally, it posted guidelines on “How to deal with scam callers,” suggesting that, when receiving a call from an unknown number, one should assume that the caller is a scammer.


It recommends keeping the caller’s information, such as the phone number, and maintaining an audio and visual record of the conversation. The embassy also advises checking for any irregular applications on the device and changing passwords regularly.


Some Thais commented on the post, reporting that scammers had called them and left voice messages when calls were not answered. The messages claimed they were waiting for the recipients to send back important documents, with potential impacts on their stay in the UK.


One comment expressed concern about how the scammers knew they were living in the UK and how they obtained their telephone numbers.

Thais in UK warned of scam calls | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

concern about how the scammers knew they were living in the UK and how they obtained their telephone numbers.

many thais living in the uk are irresponsibly careless about the private and personal information they give out on the many thai/uk forums to be found on facebook, instagram and line.

Just posting this as a heads up for anyone else who gets a phone call from these oxygen thieves:

These scammers are very convincing, as my other half had a call from them yesterday.

They initially called from a UK based mobile number: 07921 737813, and then quickly directed her to a line account purporting to be the Central Investigation Bureau of the Thai Police. She spoke with at least 5 different people, and even one of them was dressed in what appeared to be a Thai police Uniform. They all spoke with a noticeable Issan Accent

They started off with claiming they had arrested someone at Suvarnabhumi airport with her Thai passport.

Fortunately she realised it was a scam, as her passport had expired, also if it was the real Thai Police everyone knows they are never this helpful or proactive unless they can see a money making opportunity in the offing.

It is very concerning to know how they got her phone number.

I’ve recently signed on to What’sapp and since have had many phone calls via that app advertising telemarketing jobs. No doubt I’d end up in Burma upon accepting the offer.

It is very concerning to know how they got her phone number.

a data breach at any one of the many legit companies or organisations that your wife may have given her phone number to. e.g. banks, shops, apps.

the data is sold on to call centres that then attempt to scam the unwary.

Originally Posted by taxexile

many thais living in the uk are irresponsibly careless about the private and personal information they give out on the many thai/uk forums to be found on facebook, instagram and line.

Yeah well

Not being on any "social sites" except TD, where I do not post much personal info, and still I get many many scam attempts each week, being it email or SMS.

"Please click the link for delivery of your.......this and that". etc....

All with official logos etc.

No wonder folks are falling for it.

^
Those are just blanketed attacks that pretty much everyone gets helge, with the hope someone will click the link. The ones in the OP are targeted specifically at an individual that obviously gave up their personal info somewhere, which was then compromised.

I see

I could foresee when my wife would do something similar, not understanding the local language 100%, and not expecting someone from a "friendly source" to scam her.

Lots of thais are down to authorities, as you might know, and if I, myself have doubts at times, I find it hard to call them...idiots.

Only that