Bangkok: NBTC discusses with police and Anti-Money Laundering Office to expedite biometric SIM card registration system and set zero for sending SMS with links, along with issuing important measures to suppress call center gangs. Pol. Gen. Natthorn Phueasunthon, NBTC's legal affairs committee member and chairman of the subcommittee on integrated enforcement of technology crime laws, Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, director of the Royal Thai Police's Technology Crime Suppression Division, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trirong Phiwpaen, commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, Pol. Maj. Gen. Ekkarak Limsangkas, deputy secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, along with representatives of the NBTC, the Bankers' Association, mobile operators, and relevant agencies, attended the subcommittee meeting to consider urgent measures to solve the call center gang problem.
According to Thai News Agency, the measures include implementing biometric authentication for SIM card registration to screen and reduce data falsification. Additionally, there will be a limitation on the registration of foreign SIM cards to no more than three SIM cards per person per camp, requiring only a passport for registration. A zero SMS system with links is to be established for all new operators to register and send a link for verification before sending, starting on February 1, 2025.
In further discussions, additional measures such as requiring the display of the caller's name instead of the number (Caller ID) and mandating the Mobile Banking system to use only the internet signal from the SIM card when transferring large amounts of money were considered. These steps aim to make it more challenging for call center gangs to operate.
Pol. Gen. Natthatorn highlighted that after seizing a large number of Simboxes and SIM cards, it was found that most were registered by foreigners using fake identification documents. The meeting proposed an NBTC announcement to use biometrics for verification and to limit SIM card registration for workers of three nationalities to no more than three SIM cards per person per camp, requiring only a passport for registration. The zero SMS system with link verification was also emphasized.
Pol. Gen. Thatchai mentioned that the Royal Thai Police has proposed a Caller ID measure to display the caller's name, making it harder for scammers to deceive people. Discussions with mobile phone operators on appropriate practices have been held. The Royal Thai Police is working with the NBTC to crack down on non-compliant SIM card dealers, addressing offenses under the Emergency Decree on Measures to Prevent and Suppress Technology Crimes.
Pol. Lt. Col. Ekkarak from the Anti-Money Laundering Office proposed a Mobile Banking measure requiring large transfers, like 50,000 baht or more, to utilize an internet signal from a SIM card with facial verification, complicating fraudulent money transfers.