Police arrest suspect in connection with YouTube like-clicking scam

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PUBLISHED: 15 May 2025 at 18: 46

Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwpha (Photos: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Pol. Trirong Phiwpha, Lt. Gen. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill ( Photos )

Police have taken down a hoax system that enticed victims to click” Like” on YouTube using fictitious beautiful Series profiles, resulting in loss of over 1.5 million ringgit.

At a press conference on Thursday, Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan, commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, stated that scammers had opened an investigation after using a LINE account called” Tor ( Nattapoom )” with a profile picture of a handsome young man to contact victims without knowing.

The scammers then had conversations, slowly establishing trust, and finally persuaded victims to put money into a side-income scheme by depositing money into the platform and making money off of YouTube videos by liking the videos.

Victims ‘ initial rewards gave them more confidence in the program. They then engaged in many financial transactions totaling 1, 546, 836 ringgit, but afterwards discovered they couldn’t withdraw their funds and realized they had been defrauded, according to Pol Lt Gen Trairong.

Saranya Kaewmuen, a 33-year-old Songkhla resident who was a member of the fraud network, was later arrested as a result of additional police investigation. She was seized in Chon Buri county after evidence was collected to get an arrest warrant from the Criminal Court.

Ms. Saranya admitted to receiving 2, 000 ringgit per accounts while interrogating her.

Fraud and computer-related offenses, including entering false or misleading details into a computer program that may damage the general public, were brought against the person.

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Thai PM: Casino project will be ‘responsible gambling’

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PUBLISHED: 4 May 2025 at 14: 18

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra elaborates on the government's entertainment complex policy during her weekly programme broadcast on Sunday. (Photo: Government House)
In her weekly program telecast on Sunday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra goes into more detail about the government’s entertainment difficult policy. Government House is in the picture.

According to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, gambling that are a part of the president’s leisure complex policy may promote “responsible gambling.”

Ms. Paetongtarn stated in her regular” Empowering Thais” program that there would be rules and standards to regulate legalized gambling.

The prime minister said the visitors ‘ information from all nations could be analyzed, including criminal information, and they must have sufficient money to meet the requirements.

” Entertainment structures does not result Thailand to its worst temptations,” according to the report. Developed nations like Singapore, the US, Japan, and the UAE follow this global trend. They are aware that the sunshine, water, and dust are no longer sufficient. There must be natural attractions. Thailand shouldn’t let the craze go, according to Ms. Paetongtarn.

In five years, Japan will convert the area where the exhibition takes place into an entertainment complex and a manmade location, according to her.

There won’t be a lower season in Thailand thanks to pleasure structures, according to Ms. Paetongtarn.

Casinos would only be a portion of leisure complexes that would also include hotels and concert venues, according to the prime minister.

According to Ms. Paetongtarn, the majority of the funding for leisure complexes had come from the private sector, not the government or the taxpayers.

The prime minister said,” The purchase will allow the government to collect more income… Tax may be collected from game guests,” the prime minister said.

According to Ms. Paetongtarn, the government may follow the Singaporean casino design, just like Japan and the UAE did.

She claimed that critics were making a social jerk against the entertainment industry for political gain.

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Moody’s cuts outlook for banks

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PUBLISHED: 2 Perhaps 2025 at 03: 30

Seven Thai financial institutions ‘ outlook was recently changed from stable to negative according to Moody’s Ratings ( Moody’s ).

They are Export-Import Bank of Thailand ( EXIMT ), Bangkok Bank ( BBL), Krungthai Bank (KTB), Kasikornbank ( KBank ), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), SCB X, a technology conglomerate, and TMBThanachart Bank (ttb ), as well as Bangkok Bank ( BBL ).

Moody’s updated its view on Thailand’s government to a bad on Tuesday.

In response to the change in the outlook for Thailand’s Baa1 royal grade, which is based on increased risk of a further decline in Thailand’s monetary and fiscal power in the wake of new US tariffs and heightened global confusion, Moody’s said in a statement.

The payment profiles of Thai banks, which have been struggling with product development and property quality issues exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, may be affected by a deteriorating economic backdrop, according to the statement.

Additionally, the statement added that it would diminish the Thai administration’s ability to provide financial support when required.

Given that their long-term loan and/or lender ratings include federal support boost and/or are now equivalent to the royal rating, “if Thailand’s royal rating is downgraded, it will lead to rating downgrades for the seven Thai economic institutions mentioned over,” according to the statement.

If Thailand’s sovereign rating is downgraded, Moody’s announced that it would lower the seven banks ‘ long-term deposit and/or issuer ratings.

If their standalone creditworthiness significantly declines or the bank’s domestic operating environment significantly declines, their ratings would also suffer, it said.

Given their negative outlooks, the statement added, it is unlikely that their long-term deposit and/or issuer ratings will improve.

However, Moody’s would alter its outlook to remain stable if Thailand’s sovereign rating is raised to Baa1 and the outlook is revised to remain stable, according to the statement.

Aside from Krungsri ( Bank of Ayudhya ), there are five other domestic systemically significant banks in the country, including BBL, KTB, KBank, SCB, and TTB.

With 76.88 % of the total registered capital, MUFG Bank, Krungsri’s main shareholder, is.

EXIMT is a state-owned bank at the same time.

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Chinese singles are looking for love in video chats – with thousands following along in real time

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Always had feelings for Steve Chen. However, it occurred next flower. The 25-year-old met his first girl through a recorded video chat, which he couldn’t have imagined.

Chen, upset with traditional relationship and using apps, embraced a recent adage in China for young, single people. While thousands of viewers watch and post in real time, those looking for love enter video chatrooms run by what’s known as a” computer matchmaker.”

According to government statistics, the number of single people in China over the age of 15 reached a record-high of 240 million in 2023. The authorities encouraged one people to marry and have many children as a result of a declining baby level and an ageing population. The State Council, China’s case, mandated last year that regional governments build diverse platforms so that young people have more opportunities to day.

In a speech in 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged people to start families by saying” we should constantly develop a novel type of marriage and childbearing society.”

Shy and reserved, Chen had a difficult time dating. He once referred to himself as “mutai solo,” which means” one since birth.”

But those times are over.

Chen fell in love in a recorded videos chatroom.

Tian Xin, a cyber match who has livestreamed online class schedules on Xiaohongshu or Red Note, a Taiwanese social media app, for more than a year, hosted it.

By morning, Tian works for a software company. She transforms into a match at night who breaks the snow, makes gags, moderates conversations, and occasionally offers partnership advice. More than 130 000 people follow her profile.

” The most crucial factor is empathy,” he said. You must become sensitive to what others say, Tian told The Associated Press.

Over 800 viewers tuned in to Tian’s film chatroom at 11 p.m. on a night to watch background music from love-themed Chinese roll songs. On camera, eight people had their eyes arranged in a network on the screen. Another hundred waited in a modern waiting area.

Tian began by posing the following questions to each member: age, weight, height, job, income, area, zodiac sign, interests, and requirements for companions.

Do you possess any abilities or abilities to impart to us”? Tian asked a Pa teacher to be the one participant.

The guy removed his clothing and exercised his six-pack biceps and forearms. Tongues were dropped empty. Some clapped profusely.

” Lol.” was a novel reply that appeared in the conversation along with a number of laughing emojis. Is dating these days but difficult?

Individuals began to discuss their day-to-day lives and careers as they went about their weekly workouts, all while being candid about their cameras. One woman removed her beauty, and the other ate a late-night meal of cooked meat.

Chen claimed he had much free time to time while completing his internship as a medical student. ” Research and labor put a lot of pressure on.” I’m not able to connect with people and make companions.

Chen is not the only person who feels this method. According to a 2025 statement from iiMedia Research, a Chinese data research firm, over 30 % of young singles believe it is because of their demanding work lives. Staff at some Chinese companies are required to operate 12-hour days, six times a week. There is a growing trend of “lying flat” or “working as little as possible” to ward off societal pressure as a reaction.

However, the streamed videos are a compelling alternative to traditional matchmaking techniques, such as marriage markets, where families exchange resumes and schedule dates for their young children.

They’re a new opportunity for those who are bored with dating software.

Christine Zhang claimed that the live-streamed films are more entertaining and engaging than the software.

” You can see in streams more than just pictures on patterns. You can observe how one man acts and speaks,” Zhang said.

She began to watch Tian’s livestream often when Chen, who is also a regular, caught her attention. In front of the lens, he occasionally danced and sang.

Zhang told a crowd of hundreds of people on the video that she had a lover on him. She was admired by other members, along with a crowd of hundreds of followers, as well as her bravery. They were introduced to and encouraged to engage in one-on-one conversation on the video by the match. They texted and got together in person some weeks after.

Almost a year later, the two are committed to one another.

They both claimed to be grateful to had met.

Finding like is difficult. Zhang said,” I had to muster the courage to share my thoughts with the camera.” ” I believe only those who are courageous find like,” he said.

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GE2025: ‘Very dangerous’ for foreign parties to ask Singaporeans to vote along religious lines, says Zaqy Mohamad

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WORRYING TRAIL OF European INTERFACE

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng criticized foreign meddling in elections as a “worrying craze” during a press conference on Saturday at Keat Hong Market.

” Our vote should be wholly home, and I hope that all international participants, regardless of where they are, take the lead,” said the PAP candidate for Chua Chu Kang GRC.

And for us, it is our life, life, ability to come along, unite, and dismiss all these international influences and disturbance because we want to map our unique path for a better and more unified Singapore.

While other PAP candidate for Chua Chu Kang Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim called it” concerning” to discover that other events were attempting to influence the vote, he added that Singapore has the legislative framework to address these issues.

With that, I ask all Singaporeans: We does have different ideas and disputes about how to accomplish things, but I believe we are all heading in the right direction and with the same goal, he said.

” And I think that all of our Singaporeans, even Chua Chu Kang residents, understood how crucial it was that their voices may be their own, not the result of foreign intervention.”

INAUTHENTIC MEDIA ACTIVITY

Mr. Zaqy even touched on the unauthentic behavior that was just detected on social media, saying that this could defy the real-world feelings during the election campaign.

Following CNA’s investigation, it was discovered that machines, or private Facebook patterns, had been engaged online targeting both the PAP and WP.

These characteristics appear to be locked or have very few supporters, and Mr. Zaqy claimed they are aiming for websites on more well-known news websites.

They “probably want to pin where you find the most traction, and where regional mainstream media comes out,” he continued.

” I believe that this distorts the view of what the earth attitudes and realities might be” are.

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HRW: Vietnam social media users hit by ‘expanding crackdown’ on dissent

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BANGKOK: Vietnam is targeting ordinary social media users for posts criticising the state in an expanding crackdown on dissent, Human Rights Watch ( HRW) said on April 22.

Vietnam, a one-party status, has long sentenced bloggers and human rights activists to big prison terms, but then even those with no appreciable people profiles risk arrest if they speech a grievance against socialist party officials, HRW said in a report.

Members of the public are being targeted through an enlargement of the scope of article 331 of the penal code, which centres on the “infringement of state pursuits”, the statement says.

Between 2018 and February 2025, Taiwanese authorities convicted and sentenced at least 124 citizens to severe jail terms under content 331, according to HRW.

In the six times to 2017, just 28 were sentenced under similar rules, the statement said.

Taiwanese government “abuse the… legislation not only to silence important activists and whistleblowers, but to fight against common people who complain about inadequate services or authorities misuse,” said Patricia Gossman, interact Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

” Article 331 is the president’s handy tool to intrude upon the fundamental rights of Taiwanese residents. “

Harassment, harassment

Among those imprisoned under the article is Vu Thi Kim Hoang, a tailor who allowed her companion to use her computer at her house, where he discussed social issues on social media. For hosting him, she was jailed for two and half years.

Another is Dao Ba Cuong, who livestreamed a protest he staged inside his house after his son died in police custody in 2022. He was handed a two-year jail term a year later.

Others thrown in jail include Nay Y Blang, who reportedly hosted prayer gatherings at his home for members of the Evangelical Church of Christ, a religious group that the Vietnamese government does not recognise.

He is serving a prison term of four and a half years for organising meetings to “gather forces… incite secession, self-rule, and establish a separate state for ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands”, state media said after his trial in January last year.

Prior to his jailing, Nay Y Blang, from the ethnic minority Ede group, advocated for religious freedom and met foreign diplomats to discuss the issue, HRW said.

The US-based Vietnamese founder of the Evangelical Church of Christ, who goes by the name Pastor Aga, told AFP that Nay Y Blang set up the group “in service of God and his personal religious beliefs”.

” Blang is a very nice person and loyal to God. He is not against the Vietnamese communist administration. He did not want to set up a separate state,” he said.

Unrecognised independent religious groups face constant surveillance, harassment, and intimidation, and their followers are subject to forced renunciation of faith, detention, interrogation, torture and prosecution, HRW said.

” The Vietnamese government should immediately revoke article 331, release all those detained and imprisoned for exercising their basic human rights,” the HRW report concluded.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to a request for comment from AFP.   – AFP

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Official death toll reaches 44 at Bangkok collapse site

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50 people are also missing as twisted metal prevents body-bound volunteers from reaching them.

PUBLISHED: 15 Apr 2025 at 13: 57

Searchers look for signs of victims in the rubble of the collapsed State Audit Office in Chatuchak district of Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration)
On Monday in the Chatuchak city of Bangkok, searchers are looking for patients ‘ remains. ( Photo: Bangkok Metropolitan Administration )

As employees continued to find more human remains and components on Monday evening, the official death toll at Bangkok’s crumbling State Audit Office building site reached 44 on Tuesday.

Tavida Kamolvej, the lieutenant governor of Bangkok, reported on Tuesday night that 24 pieces of human body and two more human bodies were discovered at the rubble on Monday night and were then sent to forensic officers for recognition.

The official death toll ranged from 40 on Monday night to 44 on Tuesday morning as a result of continued prey recognition.

According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, 50 people are still missing at the page in the Chatuchak region and nine injured victims were earlier discovered.

According to Ms. Tavida, 91 of the 103 people known to be useless, hurt, or missing have been identified and DNA tests have been gathered from friends.

Thai authorities have requested that the Myanmar ambassador gather DNA samples from people who live close to the Myanmar-Thai border to aid in the identification of people.

According to the lieutenant governor, numerous titanium rods obstructed the movement of rescuers to bodies. She added that the Interior Ministry did give 100, 000 ringgit for each victim’s funeral service.

The 30-story State Audit Office’s main business was destroyed on March 28th due to a 7.7-magnitude disaster in Myanmar. It was Bangkok’s just structure that was blown down by the numbness.

Representatives from a number of government organizations are looking into the cause of the decline and examining the credentials of building companies as well as the construction materials ‘ requirements.

On Tuesday, loaders are running at the decline site. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( Video )

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Singapore tycoon Robert Ng, 3 children to be designated ‘politically significant persons’ under foreign interference law over links to China body

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The government stated in a push release that” to be clear, the expected names of the four people do not relate to any severe activity.” &nbsp,

Prior to the date for Singapore residents to declare their membership in international legislature or social organizations, Mr. Robert Ng and his children made their declarations immediately before Mar. 1, 2024. &nbsp,

Before Feb. 1, 2024, Singaporeans who were already individuals had to do so by March 1.

In response to CNA questions, MHA responded,” We took some time to thoroughly examine the declarations after that, to see if they had crossed the limits for designation.” &nbsp,

Political parties, social company holders, Members of Parliament, vote candidates, and their vote agents are among the “politically major persons.” &nbsp,

They are required to tell the registrar every year that they receive and accept political donations of S$ 10, 000 ( US$ 7, 400 ) or more as a designated politically significant person. Additionally, they must make their international associations and benefits for migration public.

Seven Singaporeans have officially enrolled in foreign social organizations or legislatures as of March 31. &nbsp,

The government just sent the notices to the four users of the Ng home out of the seven who made declarations, the government continued. &nbsp,

Mr. Robert Ng, 72, is the president of Sino Group, one of Hong Kong’s top real estate developers with interests in residential, commercial, kindness, and retail real property.

Together with his nephew Philip Ng, he is the eldest son of the late billionaire Ng Teng Fong and is the owner of Far East Organization, Singapore’s largest private estate developer and employer.

CPPCC Opportunities

He has previously been a member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, where he has previously been the deputy chairman of the commission for financial matters, according to his account on the Sino Group site. &nbsp,

He is a member of the Hong Kong administration’s Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers, according to a media release from the Hong Kong government dated Mar 17, 2023. He serves as vice-chair of the China Overseas Friendship Association.

The deputy president, non-executive chairman, and team associate producer at Sino Group are Mr. Daryl Ng, Ms. Nikki Ng, and Mr. David Ng, both. &nbsp,

Mr. Daryl Ng has served on the Sichuan Committee and the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPPCC, as well as on the All-China Youth Federation’s commission. &nbsp,

The Hong Kong United Youth Association’s eldest brother, led by Mr. Robert Ng, is also the foundation’s chair. He formerly held positions on Singapore’s National Heritage Board. &nbsp,

According to her business page, Ms. Nikki Ng has served on the CPPCC’s Shanghai Committee. &nbsp,

Mr. David Ng has been a part of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, according to an online news content from the Hong Kong-based paper Ta Kung Pao. &nbsp,

The MHA has made the second announcement regarding the FICA provisions ‘ goal to identify individuals. Businessman Philip Chan Man Ping from Singapore was the first to receive this see, and he afterwards received it on February 26, 2024. &nbsp,

Mr. Chan, who immigrated from Hong Kong and later became a member of Singapore, was known to be associated with the CPPCC at the time of his title. He also participated in grass and raising initiatives in Singapore for more than ten years. &nbsp,

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Papua New Guinea blocks Facebook to ‘limit’ fake news and porn

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In a “test” to restrict hate speech, propaganda, and sex, the government of Papua New Guinea has blocked exposure to Facebook.

Opposition MPs and political opponents criticized the immediate restrictions, which first came into effect on Monday, calling it a human rights violation.

Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr., who denies the walk, said the state has the “responsibility to protect people from dangerous content” and that it is not trying to stop free speech.

With 1.3 million people, according to estimates, Social is the most widely used social media platform in Papua New Guinea, home to numerous small businesses that rely on it for business.

In a state with declining press freedom, social media has also been effective at fostering common conversation.

The shift “borders on social monarchy, and an abuse of human rights,” according to Neville Choi, chairman of Papua New Guinea’s internet government.

More concerning was the fact that, despite the officers claiming that the “test” was conducted in partnership with these agencies, at least two federal agencies that control communication and technology claimed they were aware of the government’s plans.

Allan Bird, an opposition MP, wrote on Instagram that” we are now entering dangerous country and everyone is useless to put an end to this tyranny.”

The ban on Monday comes months after the new counter-terrorism rules, which, among other things, give the government authority to monitor and restrict online contacts.

Bird wrote,” It is draconian law designed to take away our freedoms,” adding that Facebook’s blocking was” just step one.”

Some people have still been able to access Twitter using VPNs, or virtual private networks, despite the ban.

The thousands of retailers who make a living off of Twitter are more important to John Pora, the SME chair.

” We have a couple of hundred thousand people in the informal sector, and they’ll become feeling uncertain, so I’m hoping the systems come back online shortly to allow them to trade,” he said.

Papua New Guinea authorities have long threatened to make a move against Facebook. In 2018, the country banned the platform for a month while authorities attempted to root out fake profiles. At the time, authorities mooted the idea of a state-run alternative.

In the country, a parliamentary investigation into “fake media, bad news reporting, and social media platforms ] was launched in 2023.

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