When disaster strikes, chaos follows—and scammers love chaos. After the recent earthquakes in Thailand, cybercriminals wasted no time taking advantage of people desperately searching for updates. They’re blasting out fake SMS alerts, phishing links, and malicious apps, all designed to steal data, money, and control of your phone. Here’s a look at the top scams making the rounds and how to stay safe.
A text message pops up on your phone: “URGENT: Aftershock expected. Click here for safety measures.” Sounds legit, right? Except it’s not. These fake alerts are packed with phishing links that either steal your personal information or trick you into installing a malicious app.
Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has warned the public to stay alert—once scammers get access to your device, they can drain bank accounts, steal personal data, and even lock you out of your own phone.
Translation: Warning. Take a chance.
⚠️Beware of fake SMS. Sending message to alert #earthquake. The real one uses links to suck information, suck money. Dangerous!! ️ #Don'tBelieveDon't Click the link. See sample in the comments ⬇️
Social media has also been buzzing with reports of how fast these fraudulent messages spread, proving just how quickly scammers exploit moments of panic.
Scammers know everyone is hungry for updates, so they’re flooding social media with fake news links. These links might look like they come from real news sites, but clicking on them could give criminals access to your login credentials, banking details, or other sensitive personal information.
Cyber Police have repeatedly warned that clicking on these links—even just out of curiosity—could open the door for scammers to control your phone remotely. This trick isn’t new; it’s a playbook move scammers use in every disaster. The takeaway? If you see a breaking news link, verify it with trusted news sources before clicking.
Another nasty scam involves fake apps that claim to provide live earthquake updates. Once installed, these apps ask for ridiculous permissions—like access to your messages, contacts, or even full device control. In some cases, scammers can remotely lock your phone and demand a ransom to unlock it.
Experts stress one golden rule: Only download apps from trusted sources like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. If an SMS or social media post is pushing an app on you, that’s a major red flag.
In moments of crisis, staying ahead of scams is critical. Whoscall has been identifying and flagging these fraudulent earthquake-related alerts in real time, warning users before they get scammed. Some users even reported getting scam warnings before official government messages, showing the importance of quick scam detection.
Scammers thrive on fear and misinformation, using every disaster as an opportunity to strike. The best way to fight back? Stay skeptical and think before you click.
Thailand is still recovering from this earthquake, and people need real information—not scams. Staying sharp and double-checking sources can keep you from falling into a scammer’s trap. Don’t let them turn disaster into profit.
Image Source: Pixabay.com
