Beware: Don’t Fall for the Latest Scam – The Truth Behind the 10,000 Baht Digital Wallet ‘Cancellation
Ministry of Digital Economy and Society Reveals Results of Monitoring Fake News
Mr. Wetang Puangsap, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), acting as spokesperson for the ministry, revealed the results of monitoring and receiving fake news by the Anti-Fake News Center. A total of 844,660 incoming messages were found between September 13 and 19, 2024, of which 256 messages needed to be verified.
Channels with the Most Clues Found
As for the channel where the most clues were found, there were 240 messages from Social Listening, followed by 16 reports via Line Official, for a total of 200 issues to be investigated, and coordination with the Related Works Unit. The results of the inspections were returned for 100 cases.
Classification of Fake News
The DE Ministry has divided the fake news that receive attention into 5 groups, consisting of:
- Group 1: Government policy, official news. Social order Going against good morals and internal security, 103 subjects
- Group 2: Health products, dangerous substances, cosmetics, including illegal goods and services, 30 subjects
- Group 3: Disasters, 25 subjects
- Group 4: Economy, 5 subjects
- Group 5: Online crime group, 37 stories
Top 10 Fake News Stories
Mr. Wetang further said that considering the fake news that received the most attention this week, it turned out that they were government policy news. Government news social order Going against good morals and stability within the country related to government agencies and projects, up to 8 degrees, that is, news that affects the lives and livelihoods of citizens. The 10 news that received the most attention from the public were as follows:
- Subject: Announcement of cancellation of distribution of digital wallets worth 10,000 baht.
- The Ministry of Public Health warns people to be careful of a serious influenza epidemic. Recommended: do not be dehydrated.
- Topic: Thailand braces for impact of water from China flowing through Mekong River.
- Typhoon Bebinka This is the strongest since 1949, warning Thais to prepare for a large amount of water.
- Subject: In the event of death, every Thai person will be entitled to receive money from the MSD in the amount of 2,000 baht.
- Subject: Loophole found in government request. Scammers have access to information on Thais.
- Food heated in the microwave There are electromagnetic waves. Disturb brain waves
- Eliminate fat from the intestines with papaya tea
- Subject: Meteorological Department warns Thailand of major drop in temperatures over next 14 years, heavy rains, Bangkok and surrounding areas to be hit by summer thunderstorms.
- PEA informs electricity users that they can check their rights. To request the insurance sum of the electricity meter via LINE
Debunking Fake News
Considering the fake news that people are most interested in among the top 10 rankings above, it was found that the news were related to projects according to government policies, government agencies and flood news. All of these have an impact on people. There may be harm, misunderstanding and cause concern for the general public. If it is shared and transmitted in society,” said Mr. Wetang.
For number 1, the announcement of the cancellation of the distribution of 10,000 baht in the digital wallet was found to be false information. from the Ministry of DE Coordinated by the tax information group Ministry of Finance Check the information and clarify it The latest implementation of the 10,000 baht recharge project via digital wallet will be carried out through two projects: the 2024 economic stimulus project through state welfare cardholders. According to the 2022 state welfare registration project to increase consumption and stimulate the country’s overall economy. The government will support the amount of 10,000 baht/person through a PromptPay account linked to the national identification number. or through a bank account as required to a target group of about 12.40 million people
and the Economic Stimulus Project 2024 through Persons with Disabilities aims to ease the burden of living expenses and increase the potential of vulnerable persons with disabilities. To increase consumption and stimulate the country’s overall economy. The government will support the amount of 10,000 baht per person through 2 channels:
- Channels for receiving disability benefits that receive information from local government organizations, Bangkok and Pattaya City.
- PromptPay account linked to the disabled person’s national identification number
On the topic of fake news, number 2: “The Ministry of Public Health warns people to beware of a serious flu epidemic. The advice not to dehydrate” turned out to be false information. from the Ministry of ED Coordinated with the Department of Disease Control. Ministry of Public Health Check the information and clarify it This flu is not more serious than usual. And drinking water to keep the mucous membranes of the throat moist does not protect against flu infection. However, you should get vaccinated against the flu and if you are sick, you should hurry up and get treatment.
However, DE is concerned about people. Regarding the awareness of fake news spreading online and on social media, that if there is a lack of knowledge Forwarding false news cause to believe Creating misunderstandings causing damage to property or personal information and can have a wide impact on people in society Therefore, you should definitely check the facts of the news or website links first.