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Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau has issued a warning over a sharp rise in fraudulent emails falsely claiming to offer tax refunds, a scam designed to steal personal and financial information.
The alert comes as criminals take advantage of the tax filing season, which runs until March 31, targeting both Thai nationals and foreign residents.
Authorities said scammers are posing as trusted organisations, including the Revenue Department and eForm Thai, to trick recipients into clicking malicious links. The emails typically promise fast refunds and use urgent language to pressure victims into acting before an alleged deadline.
According to the bureau, the fake messages often feature official-looking logos and wording intended to resemble legitimate government correspondence. Recipients are informed they are eligible for tax refunds and are instructed to verify details or claim funds via embedded links. Once accessed, these links can lead to the immediate theft of sensitive personal data.
Officials highlighted several warning signs, including urgent requests, links for “verification” or “refund claims”, and threats that refunds will be forfeited if action is not taken quickly.
The Revenue Department reiterated that it never sends email or SMS links requesting personal information, and does not ask for passwords, one-time passcodes or bank details through such channels.
Cybersecurity specialists stressed that public awareness is the most effective defence. Users are advised not to click on unfamiliar links, to delete suspicious emails immediately, and to report them as spam. Responding to requests for personal information should be avoided at all costs.
For legitimate tax refund enquiries, the public is urged to use only official Revenue Department websites or authorised platforms. The bureau emphasised that government agencies do not communicate through unsolicited email links and called on the public to remain alert to online scams.