Thai Police Identify Behaviors of Foreign Scam Call Centers

BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Thai Police have outlined four key behaviors of foreign call center scam gangs operating covertly in Thailand. They urge the public to report any suspicious activity immediately.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepho, Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, stated that National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet is seriously concerned about the growing threat of technology-driven crimes, particularly call center scams.

These scams often trick victims into transferring money or revealing personal information by posing as government or other official representatives. Some groups have reportedly set up “operational bases” inside residential areas like condominiums or rental homes to evade detection while they target both domestic and international victims.

The National Police have identified four suspicious behaviors that may indicate the presence of a call center scam base:

1. Groups of foreign nationals living together with unclear employment – Typically, 3–6 people rent short-term accommodations and keep to themselves, coming and going at irregular hours.

2. Constant foreign-language phone conversations – Repeated scripts or coordinated calls are heard almost continuously during the day, indicating scams are in progress.

3. Blackout curtains and unusual lighting patterns – Curtains often remain closed during the day, and lights are turned on overnight to match the time zones of scam victims.

4. Excessive communication equipment – Rooms may be filled with multiple power strips, computers, phones, routers, and other devices, with frequent activity moving equipment in and out.

The police stressed that these behaviors should not be ignored, as they may indicate a scam call center hiding close to residential areas.

Citizens who notice such suspicious activities are encouraged to report them immediately to authorities through hotline numbers 191 or 1599, which are available 24 hours a day. The Royal Thai Police have pledged to conduct thorough investigations to dismantle these operations, aiming to restore public confidence and ensure the safety of both Thai residents and tourists.