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Phone Scams in Thailand Targeting Expats: 6 Schemes to Know in 2026
In March 2026, a Russian-speaking resident of Phuket received a call from a number beginning with +698. The caller, speaking flawless Russian, introduced himself as a major in the Thai police and claimed that someone was using the resident's passport to apply for a loan at Bangkok Bank right at that moment. When the resident asked the caller to repeat the statement in Thai, the line went silent. Then came the dial tone.
This is far from an isolated incident. A coordinated wave of phone fraud targeting Russian-speaking expats and investors in Thailand is growing steadily. According to Thai police, these call centers operate out of border zones in Myanmar and northern Laos. Raids are conducted regularly, yet the volume of calls does not decrease.
The core rule is simple: real Thai police never call foreigners on their mobile phones to request SMS codes, card numbers, or passport details.
Quick Answer
- 100% of calls from +697 and +698 numbers claiming to be Thai police and speaking Russian are scams
- Fraudsters use 6 main schemes, ranging from fake loan applications to fabricated drug parcel allegations
- Personal data leaks originate from SIM card registration, vehicle rentals, accommodation bookings, and Telegram bots
- If you shared nothing - hang up and block the number immediately
- If you gave card details or an SMS code - call your bank right away and block all linked cards
- Legitimate Thai police communicate in Thai or English, visit in person, and carry a warrant
Scenarios and Options
Scenario 1: A Loan Taken Out in Your Name
The caller claims that a stranger is attempting to take out a loan of 2 million baht at Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, or SCB using your passport. You are asked to 'verify your details' to block the transaction. An SMS code is then requested.
Scenario 2: The Cybercrime Department
The script here involves your account supposedly being used for money laundering. You are pressured to urgently transfer funds to a 'secure account' - which, naturally, belongs to the scammers.
Scenario 3: A Parcel Containing Prohibited Substances
You are told that a package you allegedly sent abroad contained narcotics. 'The case has been forwarded to Interpol.' The psychological pressure relies on the very real severity of drug-related penalties in Thailand.
Scenario 4: Your Embassy Is Involved
'Your passport has appeared in a criminal case.' The scheme bets on the words 'embassy' and 'criminal case' triggering panic. In reality, embassies communicate through official email channels and never request financial information by phone.
Scenario 5: Bank Security Alert
A classic scheme adapted for the Thai context. 'Someone is attempting a transaction on your card in Thailand - please provide the code.' This approach has been circulating since 2019 and has simply followed expat communities as they relocated.
Scenario 6: You Have Been Named a Company Director
The most sophisticated variant. You are told that you have been added as a director or authorized representative of a Thai company that is applying for a loan. For investors who genuinely register companies in Thailand, this scenario carries a deceptive ring of plausibility.
| Parameter | Real Thai Police | Real Bank | Scammer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language used | Thai or English | Thai or English | Fluent Russian with no accent |
| Contact method | In-person visit, official summons | App notification or short-code SMS | Call from +697 or +698 |
| Data requested | Never by phone, only in person | Never asks for SMS codes | Codes, CVV, card numbers, passport |
| Time pressure | None, formal deadlines apply | None | 'Urgent', 'right now', 'too late in 5 minutes' |
| Verification available | Case number, warrant, badge | Reference number in the bank app | Refuses to give branch address, goes silent in Thai |
Main Risks and Mistakes
Mistake 1: Engaging out of curiosity. Even if you share nothing, the scammers register that the number is active and pass it to other databases. The next call will be more personalized.
Mistake 2: Calling the number back. Numbers beginning with +697 and +698 are VoIP lines. Calling back can trigger charges or activate paid subscriptions.
Mistake 3: Assuming it will not happen to you. Databases of Thai numbers belonging to Russian-speaking subscribers are sold on the dark web in packages of 10,000 contacts. If you have a Thai SIM card, your number is very likely already in one of these lists.
Mistake 4: Not blocking your card after a data leak. Even if you shared 'only the card number' without the CVV. Fraudsters piece together information across multiple calls.
Mistake 5: Keeping all funds on a single card. Investors in Thai real estate should maintain a separate card for Thailand-based transactions, with a limited balance.
Where Does the Data Come From?
The primary sources of personal data leaks are SIM card registration (a passport has been required since 2023), motorbike and car rentals, local insurance applications, villa bookings through small unlicensed agents, and Telegram bots for local services. Each of these touchpoints is a potential data exposure channel.
What to Do Right Now
If you received a call but shared nothing:
- Hang up. Do not call back.
- Block the number through your carrier: AIS - dial *1185#, TrueMove H - dial *137 and follow the prompts, dtac - dial *114*# and call.
If you shared card details or an SMS code:
- Call your bank immediately using the number on the official website or within the app.
- Block all cards linked to the compromised account.
- Change your mobile banking passwords.
- File a report with the Thai Police Cyber Crime Division hotline: 1441 (English-language support available).
FAQ
Can Thai police actually call me? In exceptional circumstances, yes - but in Thai or English, from an official departmental number. Police never request SMS codes, card numbers, or transfers to 'secure accounts' over the phone.
Why do scammers call a Thai number rather than a foreign one? Expats in Thailand are more likely to answer calls from unknown numbers since they expect calls from landlords, agents, and delivery services. Additionally, psychological pressure applied by 'the police of a foreign country' tends to be more effective when you are living abroad.
How can I identify a scam call within the first five seconds? Three reliable signs: the call is in Russian, the number starts with +697 or +698, and the caller insists on urgency. Any one of these is sufficient reason to hang up.
Can scammers actually take out a loan in my name at a Thai bank? No. Obtaining a loan as a foreigner in Thailand is a multi-step process that requires physical presence, a work permit, income verification, and extensive documentation. A passport number alone is not enough.
Should I change my Thai number after receiving such a call? If the calls are infrequent, blocking the offending number through your carrier is sufficient. If you are receiving multiple calls per week from different numbers, replacing the SIM card is a reasonable step. Minimize sharing your new number with third parties.
Does phone fraud affect the security of real estate transactions? There is no direct connection. However, passport data leaking through unreliable intermediaries is one of the documented sources of call center databases. Always work with licensed agencies that maintain proper data protection standards.
Where do I report scam calls in Thailand? The Thai Police Cyber Crime Division hotline is 1441, with English support available. You can also submit an online complaint through the Thai Police Cyber Taskforce. For additional assistance, Tourist Police can be reached at 1155.
Scammers deliberately target Russian-speaking expats in Thailand, knowing that this community includes many investors with substantial funds. Protection starts with a straightforward habit: never share financial information over the phone, use a dedicated card with a capped balance for Thai expenses, and choose only verified, licensed partners for property transactions.
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