BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s Anti-Online-Crime Center AOC 1441 warned that scammers were using fake “free fuel” and coupon campaigns to steal banking data and empty accounts within minutes.
How the “free fuel” scheme operated
According to AOC 1441, the fraudulent messages spread mainly via SMS, social media and fake online advertisements. The senders posed as petrol stations, well-known brands or supposedly official campaign pages.
They lured users with promises such as “free fuel 500 baht” or “special coupon today only”. Anyone who clicked on the link risked being redirected to a fraudulent site designed to harvest personal data.
Clicking through to convincing copies
Authorities reported that those who followed the link were taken to a website that looked almost identical to a genuine provider page. On these pages, victims were prompted to enter sensitive information such as ID numbers, card details, passwords or the OTP codes sent by banks and payment services to confirm transactions.
Once entered, this data allowed criminals to gain direct access to financial accounts. The realistic appearance of the fake sites was intended to lower suspicion and encourage users to complete the forms.
Why the losses mounted within minutes
The center warned that with the stolen information, perpetrators could immediately access bank accounts or initiate transactions. In many cases, money was debited within just a few minutes because the criminals used automated tools to exploit the captured logins.
Victims often noticed the fraud only later, when they checked their balances or received bank notifications. By then, significant sums could already have been withdrawn from accounts.
Foreign news used as bait for “special rights”
AOC 1441 stated that the fraudsters also used current foreign news as a hook to make the fake deals seem more credible. The core of the tactic was the promise of an exclusive advantage, framed as a limited or special right.
Many people clicked impulsively on these offers before checking the sender, the URL or the authenticity of the promotion. This behavior made it easier for scammers to spread the fake campaigns widely.
What AOC advised – and what to avoid
The agency advised the public not to open links from doubtful SMS messages or advertisements and not to enter payment or login data on unknown websites. Legitimate promotions should be verified only via official websites or verified brand accounts before any personal information is provided.
If someone fell victim to online fraud, they were urged to contact the hotline 1441 immediately to initiate steps to block affected accounts. Reports about fake news and all forms of online crime could also be submitted around the clock via hotline 1111.
“Do not open links from dubious messages or ads, and never enter payment or login details on unknown sites.”
said AOC 1441, Thai Anti-Online-Crime Center.
“Real promotions must be checked exclusively through official websites or verified brand accounts before any personal data is typed in.”
said AOC 1441, Thai Anti-Online-Crime Center.
“Anyone who has fallen for online fraud should contact hotline 1441 immediately, while information on fake news and online crime of any kind can be reported 24/7 via hotline 1111.”
said AOC 1441, Thai Anti-Online-Crime Center.