A new executive decree, designed to deal more effectively with online scammers and scam activities, is being drafted by the government. It will further tighten controls on the ownership of SIM cards and SIM boxes, the opening of bank accounts and will include a life-ban on the ownership of bank accounts for repeat offenders.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today, on cooperation in the prevention and suppression of cybercrime, between the Royal Thai Police and seven commercial banks.
Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said that one key element in the executive decree is the prevention of the opening of “mule” bank accounts, which are used by scammers to temporarily “park” the money cheated from victims, before it is quickly withdrawn and sent to the scam bosses.
He said that, if a person is caught opening two “mule” accounts, they will be allowed to open another account for personal use but cannot open another account until the cases of the two “mule” accounts have been concluded.
If a similar offence were to be committed within three years, he said that person may be barred for life from opening bank accounts again adding, however, that the details of this tough measure have not yet been finalised.
He said that the executive decree will also mandate that a person can own a maximum of five SIM cards but, if necessary, can apply for more through the Royal Thai Police and will be subjected to screening by the police.
As for SIM boxes, which are an essential tool in scamming operations, Chaichanok said that, although there is law governing the use of these tools, violations are rampant, adding that tighter controls may be required to regulate the ownership and import of spare parts for SIM boxes.
He pointed out that most scam activities start with online trading platforms, the control of which needs to be further tightened.
