BANGKOK, Jan 29 (TNA) – Thailand’s cabinet has approved a new decree aimed at cracking down on the country’s rampant call center fraud and cybercrime, with banks and mobile network operators set to face stricter regulations.
The emergency decree, expected to come into effect in February, will give authorities broader powers to pursue those involved in these crimes and will hold financial institutions and telecommunications companies more accountable for their role in facilitating fraudulent activities.
Jiraporn Huangsap, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said the government had decided to take urgent action after finding that Thai citizens were losing an average of 60-70 million baht per day to such scams.
The decree introduces several key measures. Authorities will gain expanded powers to act against platforms facilitating fraudulent activities. Mobile network operators will be mandated to suspend SIM cards linked to criminal operations.
Banks must disclose information about fraudulent accounts to the Anti-Money Laundering Commission to expedite refunds to victims.
Furthermore, the decree increases penalties for banks that fail to prevent the opening of accounts for criminal purposes. Stricter punishments will be enforced against individuals who leak personal information.
Importantly, the decree establishes joint liability, holding financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and social media platforms partially responsible for damages caused by fraudulent activities.
Prasert Chantararuangthong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society, said that once the decree is published in the Royal Gazette, it will immediately come into effect, likely within a month. He estimated that the law could be enforced as early as February. -819 (TNA)
