Thailand Pushes Back Against Facebook-Enabled Crypto Scams
Thai authorities are contemplating serious action against social media giant Meta (formerly Facebook), as Thailand battles against fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and misleading investment advertisements propagated through Facebook, given a rise in the occurrence of such scams.
200,000 victims
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) in Thailand has revealed that over 200,000 individuals in the country have fallen victim to fraudulent Facebook advertisements, which tout promises of massive returns through crypto-related investments and other financial opportunities. These deceitful ads have preyed on unsuspecting users, leading to growing concerns about online safety and consumer protection.
The fraudulent adverts often make outrageous claims, guaranteeing daily profits as high as 30%. To add credibility, scammers even resort to using images of celebrities and renowned figures from the financial industry as fabricated endorsements. Some ads have gone to the extent of replicating the logos and symbols of the Thailand Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand to establish an appearance of legitimacy.
Inadequate response
Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Minister of MDES, acknowledged that the ministry has engaged in discussions with Facebook regarding the alarming prevalence of these fraudulent ads on its platform.
Thanakamanusorn stated: “In the past, the ministry talked to Facebook all the time, but did not screen advertisers, causing damage to Thai people of more than 100,000 million baht.” Despite sending a letter to the platform requesting the removal of more than 5,301 misleading advertisements, Facebook’s response has been inadequate in addressing the issue effectively.
In the face of Facebook’s reluctance to take appropriate action against these fraudulent ads and the substantial financial damage amounting to $2.8 million, MDES has issued a stern warning. Should Facebook fail to rectify the situation, MDES is prepared to pursue a court-issued shutdown order against the platform within a span of seven days.
To protect the public from falling victim to these scams, MDES has advised individuals to exercise caution when encountering ads that promise exorbitant profits. Moreover, users are urged to be skeptical of endorsements from celebrities, as these images are often manipulated to deceive the public. The ministry also emphasized the importance of verifying the credentials of businesses and platforms before engaging with them.
Safeguarding investors
Thailand’s regulatory efforts in the cryptocurrency domain have taken a cautious trajectory. Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has stepped up its efforts to safeguard investors from crypto scams by instituting stringent guidelines against deceptive crypto marketing.
As part of those guidelines, the SEC stated: “It is forbidden to advertise or persuade the general public or do any other act in the manner of supporting the deposit taking & lending service.” Acknowledging the inherent volatility of the crypto market, the SEC has mandated risk-related disclosures for all crypto trading platforms.
With Facebook boasting around 48.1 million users in Thailand as of January 2023, the platform holds substantial influence, making the resolution of this issue even more critical. Striking a balance between innovation and regulatory measures is imperative to ensure that online spaces remain safe and conducive to a healthy crypto market.
