BANGKOK, THAILAND – The Thai government issued a stark warning over so‑called mule SIM cards and front accounts used as tools in online fraud and call center scams, stressing that offenders faced up to three years in prison and heavy fines.
Call center scams drive surge in mule SIM abuse
A government representative named Airin said losses from call center fraud had become especially visible because Thai nationals were now involved in deceiving fellow citizens. According to her, this marked a worrying shift in the nature of online scams in Thailand.
She explained that helpers accepted small payments to open mule accounts or to provide their identity so that criminals could cover their tracks. These intermediaries allowed fraudsters to distance themselves from the phone numbers and financial channels used in the schemes.
The lure of quick cash for SIM registration
Airin appealed to the public, especially young people, not to be tempted by small sums of money to register SIM cards or hand over personal data to criminals.
“Do not let small payments seduce you into registering SIM cards or giving your personal data to criminals.”
said Airin, government representative.
She warned that such data were used to obtain phone numbers later employed as the technical backbone of online offences. These seemingly minor transactions could therefore link ordinary people directly to serious online fraud.
Legal framework under technological crime decree
According to Airin, even registering a SIM card for payment or allowing someone else to use a SIM card registered in one’s own name could be legally risky. The key factor was whether investigators could prove that the number had been used in a criminal offence.
She referred to the Emergency Decree on Measures for the Prevention and Suppression of Technological Crime, 2023, as amended by No. 2, 2025. Under this framework, authorities could target those whose registered numbers were linked to technological crimes.
Penalties of up to three years in prison
The legal sanctions were clearly defined and could apply directly to the holder of a mule SIM, Airin said. If a registered number was connected to an offence, the owner could be prosecuted regardless of the size of the payment received.
Penalties included up to three years in prison, a fine of up to THB300,000, or both. These punishments aimed to deter individuals from casually renting out or selling access to phone numbers.
Tougher consequences for organisers and brokers
Significantly higher penalties threatened those who organised or promoted the trade and transfer of SIM cards and accounts, according to Airin. She stressed that organisers and recruiters for mule networks would be treated more severely than low‑level helpers.
Anyone who procured, advertised, or incited the buying, selling, renting, or lending of SIM cards, deposit accounts, electronic cards, or e‑money accounts faced two to five years in prison. They also risked fines ranging from THB200,000 to THB500,000, or both, if convicted.
Raids, data blocks and 24/7 reporting channels
The government announced it would continue to work with relevant agencies to crack down on mule SIMs. It urged the public under no circumstances to share ID documents or facial scans for SIM registration on behalf of third parties.
Those who discovered that their name had been used without permission to register a SIM card, or who had information about online fraudsters, were encouraged to report it via Thai Police Online. They could also call the 1441 hotline of the Anti‑Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC) at any time, as the service operated around the clock.