Thailand to bring online scams to Global Fraud Summit in Vienna

Thailand will highlight the challenges posed by online scammers at the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna on March 16–17, according to an informed source.

Fraud has become a core business for organised criminal groups. In Southeast Asia, online scam hubs have caused great financial harm to millions of individuals, communities and governments.

The source said that Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow will deliver a keynote speech at the two-day summit, stressing the danger posed by booming scam centres in the region, especially in neighbouring countries.

In addition, during his visit, he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger to further strengthen mutual relations and cooperation. Sihasak is also expected to brief his counterpart on the regional situation and ASEAN-related issues.

In Vienna, he will focus on the challenges posed by online scam operations, which flourish where the rule of law is absent, harming victims across borders and weakening human rights protection.

Thailand has been directly affected and remains at the forefront of international efforts to dismantle these criminal networks through closer cross-border coordination.

The Vienna summit will bring together governments, law enforcement officials and the private sector to combat rising international fraud. It is organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Interpol.