Bangkok: Authorities have issued a warning to the public regarding fraudulent hotel booking websites, which deceive customers into transferring money without providing accommodation. Individuals who fall victim to such scams often find themselves blocked and without recourse once the transaction is completed.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwpaen, Commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, highlighted the issue in a press conference held at the Technology Crime Suppression Division. He identified the website siamstaycollections.com as a particularly dangerous platform that tricks consumers into booking accommodations, collecting deposits, and then cutting off all communication.
Victims have filed numerous complaints on the website wwww.thaipoliceonline.go.th, reporting that fraudulent pages or websites have been created to deceive them into transferring money for hotel bookings. After the payment is made, these websites become inaccessible. The Cyber Police have apprehended two individuals linked to horse accounts used in the scam, revealing they are Thai nationals. However, the service providers behind the fraudulent website are located abroad, complicating efforts to block the site.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong emphasized that with Thailand currently experiencing a busy tourist season, scammers are targeting accommodations in popular tourist destinations such as Phuket, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat. He urged the public to adhere to nine key guidelines to avoid falling victim to such scams. These include booking through official channels like Booking.com, Agoda, or directly with the accommodation's website, verifying Facebook pages for authenticity, contacting accommodations directly before transferring money, and avoiding personal account transfers.
Additionally, he advised checking the legitimacy of Facebook pages by looking for verification badges and continuous engagement through posts and reviews. Consumers should be cautious of newly created pages with few followers and advertisements promoting unusually cheap accommodations. The transparency of the page should also be assessed, including any name changes and the location of the page manager.
The Cyber Police continue to work with international agencies to block these fraudulent websites and are conducting further investigations to uncover more perpetrators involved in the scam.