In a concerning revelation, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) has disclosed that a staggering two-thirds of victims in cybercrime cases are women. This alarming statistic has led officials to issue a stern warning, urging the public to exercise heightened caution when using social media and messaging apps. Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor, deputy spokeswoman for the RTP, relayed the deep concerns of the national police chief, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, regarding the burgeoning number of cybercrime incidents, which have resulted in substantial financial losses amounting to billions of baht.
From March 1, 2022, to June 30 of this year, the RTP has received a hefty 575,507 reports of cybercrimes, with estimated damages totaling around 65.7 billion baht. A striking 64% of these victims were women of working age, the majority of whom were between the ages of 22 and 59, Pol Maj Gen Siriwat noted. These statistics underscore a pressing need for heightened vigilance, particularly among working-age individuals, to stay ahead of evolving cybercrime tactics.
“The RTP strongly urges the public, especially those in the workforce, to remain vigilant and stay informed about new forms of cybercrime to safeguard against falling victim,” emphasized Pol Maj Gen Siriwat. The RTP is committed to leveraging this data to refine and enhance its anti-cybercrime strategies. Collaborations with both public and private sectors are in the works, aiming to intensify efforts to combat the damaging effects of cybercrimes, which have left many individuals facing serious repercussions.
Pol Maj Gen Siriwat also encouraged those who suspect they have fallen prey to cybercrime to report their cases through official channels. Victims can file a report at www.thaipoliceonline.go.th or by calling the hotline 1441, available 24/7. Importantly, she clarified that the RTP does not process complaints via mobile apps or social media, thus urging citizens to use the official channels for their reports.
This is absolutely terrifying! I use social media every day, and this makes me feel really uneasy.
@Sarah P. – It’s the reality of our digital age. Best to stay informed and cautious.
👍 Definitely. Time to double-check my privacy settings.
It’s not just social media. Phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated too.
Why are so many women being targeted more than men?
@Emily W. – Maybe because women are seen as easier targets or more likely to respond emotionally?
I think it has to do with the demographic data on social media usage.
Makes sense, but it still feels unfair and scary.
The real issue is that the penalties for these crimes aren’t harsh enough to deter criminals.
Agreed. If they knew they’d face severe consequences, they might think twice.
Increasing penalties could help, but we also need better prevention measures.
True, education and awareness are key too.
I’ve been scammed online before. It’s not just women who are victims.
Sorry to hear that. What happened?
Got tricked into giving my bank details. Lost a lot of money.
That’s rough, man. Did you get any of it back?
I’m always skeptical about these reports. Are these numbers even accurate?
The Royal Thai Police seems pretty credible to me.
Idk, sometimes numbers are inflated to create a panic.
Stats can be manipulated, but better safe than sorry, right?
Education on cyber safety should start in schools. Kids are getting online younger and younger.
I work in IT and trust me, the dark web is a scary place where these criminals thrive.
It’s nice to see the RTP taking this seriously. Hope their efforts make a difference.
We need better tech solutions to fight cybercrime, not just police reports.
I wish there were more resources available for victims. Reporting it is just the first step.
The fact that there are billions in losses is insane! Makes me paranoid about using any digital services.
Some parts of the government should be more proactive instead of just issuing warnings.
Well, they are also enhancing their strategies as per the article.
I suppose, but still feels reactive rather than proactive.
At what cost though? Increased surveillance could infringe on our privacy.
Just goes to show how careful we need to be with our data. Sad that it’s come to this.
More people should know about the hotline and official website. Awareness can save so many!
Blaming the victim isn’t the answer. It’s the criminals who need to be stopped.
Victim blaming never helps. Awareness and support do.
That’s exactly my point. Focus on practical solutions.