Scams on the internet are anticipated to continue to be a major trend this year as people become more dependent on online technology for daily activities, such as purchasing necessities and accessing entertainment, according to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej of the Central Investigation Bureau ( CIB ).
Over 400,000 instances of crime were reported between March 1 and November 30 of last year, according to statistics gathered by the Royal Thai Police (RTP). 40.8 % of cases involved deceptive methods involving subpar and fraudulent goods and services, which topped the rankings. With losses exceeding 16 billion ringgit, false investment schemes, however, were the ones that caused the most economic harm.
A pattern that indicates that online frauds are pervasive can be seen in the data from November 2022 andNovember 2023, which showed that there were about 21, 000 cases reported in both times.
According to the CIB inspector,” These numbers highlight the danger posed by online scams and the need for pre-emptive actions.”
a difficult and difficult process
The use of systems by con artists as a tool to commit atrocities and cover their tracks makes it difficult to combat crime, according to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop.
Scammers complicate law enforcement agencies ‘ efforts to combat crime by using sophisticated tools and techniques, such as SIM containers and Voice over IP ( VoIP), for their illegitimate pursuits, he claimed.
Additionally, there are three more obstacles that law enforcement organizations must overcome in order to combat crime.
First, he claimed that online con artists frequently operate near Myanmar’s borders, where Thai officials find it difficult to look into them due to the conflict between ethnic rebels and government forces. Scammers will also find healthy enclaves in regions governed by armed groups, like Laukkaing in northern Myanmar, according to him.
Next, he claimed that complex legal sites are responsible for online scams. He claimed that because they are made up of multinational corporations, it is challenging for the government to organize and find them.
Finally, he said that constitutional and jurisdictional issues add difficulty. International cooperation is necessary to prosecute these scammers because online scams are by their very nature transnational.
Front unifying
The Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre ( AOC ) 1441 hotline, according to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop, was established to assist in the fight against online scams. In a proactive effort to address the public’s danger, it brings together banks, internet service providers, the authorities, and telecommunication regulators.
According to him, the initiative aims to improve data sharing, help repository management, and streamline coordination. He added that the police are also using technology to simplify their work and improve their capacity to combat cybercrime.
According to him, technology is crucial for handling complaints, gathering knowledge, analyzing crime trends, and forging connections with various organizations, whether they be banks, internet service providers, or telecom operators.
To stay one step ahead of thieves, police are attempting to establish systems and interactions with law enforcement organizations in order to transfer information, investigative methods, and knowledge about criminal activity.
In order to adapt to the changing threats posed by emerging threats like cryptocurrencies, the black online, and deep fakes, he said it is crucial for the authorities to update their information through the “unlearn, rediscover and reskill” process.
According to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop, altering organizational buildings is crucial for enhancing law enforcement agencies ‘ ability to combat crime.
The prime minister has given him the responsibility of serving as the AOC’s secretary general and convening a working board to collaborate strongly with other organizations and create successful strategies for combating cybercrime in his capacity as CIB commissioner.
Because violence no longer has any borders, it is time to increase regional and international collaboration and collaboration. We need a powerful ally to reign in acts because criminals based in other nations can target victims in Thailand.
He noted that the CIB has used social media to warn the public about online frauds, how to spot scammers, and to desire them to report suspicious routines. He said the general public can take an active role in the fight against crime.
He continued, “CIB mobile apps are anticipated to be released quickly.”
increasing worry
Violent crimes like mass shootings are emerging all over the world and posing significant problems for the police and the general public, he said, as online schemes continue to pose a significant risk this time.
The CIB has organized workshops at universities and private businesses to help them understand the risks and come up with a strategy to control such situations and be healthy, he said. Incidents like these are frequently unstable and have disastrous effects on communities.
Due to the strenuous nature of their work, the company has also partnered with the Police General Hospital to determine the mental wellbeing of its own employees and offer them early diagnosis and treatment, which is crucial, he said.
Additionally, it has cracked down on illegal firearms, leading to the seizure of some suspects and the forfeiture of arms.
One of the bloodiest time of violent crime in recent memory was the shooting at the Siam Paragon store in October of last year. A 14-year-old son is accused of shooting indiscriminately, killing one Thai, two foreigners, and injuring five other persons.
A knife-wielding former police officer attacked a hospital in Nong Bua Lam Phu shortly after the shooting’s first anniversary, killing 24 youngsters and 12 individuals.
Gun control measures have been tightened as a result of the shooting in Siam Paragon, including banning the import of firearms and copy weapons.
According to Pol Lt. Gen. Jirabhop, the RTP’s ahead control has security measures and keeps an eye on the activities of suspected individuals, allaying concerns about assault related to southern turmoil and potential violence in the funds.
The Crime Suppression Division, Sea Police, and Highway Police are just a few of the units under the CIB’s control that have been given strict instructions to work closely with neighborhood police.
a data-driven company
According to Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop, who envisions the CIB as a data-driven firm, improving data set is one of the main places the organization is working on to better fight crime.
The CIB you better comprehend trends and patterns, create ideas, and allocate resources to effectively solve them thanks to comprehensive and accurate data, he claimed.
He added that the CIB has teamed up with the Thailand Institute of Justice to create a strong and extensive crime database because inadequate data collection can lead to incomplete or inaccurate data, making it challenging for police to perform efficient data analytics.
He stated that the UNODC-developed International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes will be used as a concept and offers an extensive foundation for producing records on criminal fairness.
According to him, the CIB can use crime data to gain insightful insights and improve its efforts in avoidance, destruction, and investigation to combat crime.
” New technologies make it more difficult to find criminals, and they allow them to target individuals from everywhere.” It is suggested that the general public finger themselves with information. It is the first and best line of defense against crime, he claimed.