In a heart-wrenching saga of deception, a Thai engineer named Siwat found himself ensnared in a sinister web spun by call centre scammers, resulting in the loss of more than 8 million baht. This mind-boggling incident took place over the course of seven relentless days, leaving Siwat bankrupt and forcing him to shutter his restaurant in the bustling Khlong Sam neighborhood of Bangkok.
The nightmare unfolded on April 5, when Siwat received a phone call from a woman masquerading as an official from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). She spun an elaborate tale, accusing Siwat of being involved in suspicious mule account activities. To further elaborate on her fictitious claims, she insisted on communicating via video call through LINE, a popular messaging app.
The real-life drama didn’t end there. With a chilling authority, the scammer sent Siwat a counterfeit legal document that demanded immediate action. She ordered Siwat to transfer his entire savings into her account to purportedly conduct an investigation, leveraging the formidable threat of asset confiscation over his head. Feeling every bit the cornered prey, Siwat yielded to the request.
The threats escalated when another scammer, claiming to be a police officer, contacted Siwat. The call was intriguingly passed around like a baton, transitioning from one scammer to another, with each one donning the guise of law enforcement officers. Their scripted performance kept Siwat on the hook, making sure he did not hang up as they spun their web over seven arduous days, from April 5 to 11.
Throughout this period, Siwat was manipulated into transferring his life savings into 11 different bank accounts across four Thai banks. By the time the curtain fell on this scam, Siwat had hemorrhaged a staggering 8,465,084 baht.
Not satisfied with draining his bank accounts, the scammers pushed Siwat further, compelling him to pawn his property, deplete his savings certificates, and even take loans using credit cards. When it seemed like there was nothing left to take, they attempted to squeeze his father for more money. This was their undoing as Siwat’s father, the unsung hero in this tale, smelled a rat and promptly alerted the real police.
His father’s timely intervention turned the tide, pulling Siwat back from the brink. All that remains now is the aftermath – a closed restaurant and a mountain of credit card debt that Siwat is now valiantly working to pay off with whatever resources he has left.
Siwat, reflecting on the entire ordeal during a press conference with the non-profit organization Saimai Survive, expressed his regret. Having spent a significant amount of time living abroad, he admitted his unfamiliarity with such homegrown scams, which perhaps contributed to his susceptibility. Despite receiving scam calls in the past, this one appeared convincingly authentic.
The case has since been brought under the vigilant eye of the police at Klong Luang Police Station. Law enforcement authorities are diligently reviewing evidence and preparing to issue arrest warrants against the fraudulent culprits. Siwat himself expresses little hope of recovering his lost money but remains grateful for the support from friends and family.
The light at the end of this tumultuous tunnel comes in the form of Ekkaphop Lueangprasert, the founder of Saimai Survive, who has pledged to take Siwat’s plight directly to the Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, pushing for justice.
This incredible and cautionary tale stands as a stark reminder to stay vigilant, especially in a world where deception has taken a digital cloak. Siwat’s story might be a somber one, but it’s also filled with lessons in awareness and the power of familial love and support.
The incident has resonated across Thailand, creating waves in the media, and becoming a pivotal topic in the latest Thailand news, serving both as a warning and a call to action against such nefarious acts.
This is so scary! I can’t believe scams like this are so sophisticated now.
Right? It’s like they play on people’s worst fears.
And it’s heartbreaking that it happened to someone as innocent as Siwat.
I think he should have been more careful. How can you trust someone over the phone with your entire savings?
That’s easier said than done when you’re being threatened with legal action!
Personally, I think these scams are happening because people aren’t tech-savvy enough. Education is key.
Absolutely. These scammers rely on our lack of knowledge.
We need better laws to protect people too. The responsibility shouldn’t be on the individual alone.
His father’s quick thinking is what saved them. Family support is invaluable.
True heroes are the ones who notice when something smells fishy. Kudos to the dad!
Imagine if his dad wasn’t there. We badly need some intervention programs or hotlines for such cases.
Absolutely, perhaps more emphasis on financial literacy?
I think LINE should be held accountable. Why aren’t tech companies doing more to prevent this?
How could they? There are millions of users, and these scammers are skilled at lying.
Maybe some AI solutions to detect suspicious behavior?
Sad to hear he lost so much. I hope they catch those scammers soon.
Even if they do, getting the money back is another question entirely.
Why aren’t banks tracking these unusual transactions? They should be able to detect such patterns and alert customers.
Exactly! It’s mind-blowing that they don’t have something in place for that.
I think these stories are overdramatized. People should just be more cautious.
That’s easy to say when you’re not the one being duped by professionals.
The government needs to step up its anti-fraud campaigns. This is a nationwide problem.
If only he had checked for ID. But then again, scammers are probably prepared for that.
Heartbreaking to see someone hard-working fall victim to such ruthless schemes. Glad to see support from organizations like Saimai Survive.
Could this have been an inside job? Knowing so much about someone’s finances suggests some serious info leaks.
Hope the police act swiftly. It’s only fair they face justice.
Such scams make it hard to trust any call or message from official accounts. We’re losing the battle against cyber threats.
The worst part is the legal process. Even if they are caught, restitution takes forever.
A cautionary tale indeed. We must all learn from his mistake and stay informed.