Thai PBS Verify exposes fake Thai PBS interview scam

An AI-generated investment scam is circulating on Facebook, using fake news websites designed to resemble the Bangkok Post and falsely claiming to feature a Thai PBS interview in an attempt to lure victims into transferring money, according to Thai PBS Verify.

The Thai PBS fact-checking unit said the scam is promoted through Facebook advertisements under the name "Horizon News" and features fabricated images of veteran journalist Suthichai Yoon arguing with former Bank of Thailand governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput.

The fake article falsely claims that the central bank chief stormed out of a live television interview, after the journalist exposed a secret AI-powered investment platform.

The fraudulent website, designed to mimic the Bangkok Post, promotes a fictitious trading platform, called Flux Vexaris, claiming users could turn an initial investment of 6,500 baht into a monthly income of 250,000 baht with no risk.

Victims are instructed to register by providing their name, email address and phone number, after which they would reportedly receive a call from a personal adviser, pressuring them to transfer at least 6,500 baht. The scam also uses false deadlines and limited-time offers to create a sense of urgency.

Thai PBS Verify said images used in the advertisement have been analysed using AI detection software from Hive Moderation and have been found to have a 99.8% probability of being AI-generated.

The fact-checkers also found that Suthichai Yoon had interviewed Sethaput for Thai PBS World in March 2024.

The genuine interview, however, focused on monetary policy, Thailand's economic outlook and the independence of the central bank, but contained no confrontation or discussion of investment platforms.

Claire Patchimanont, director of Thai PBS World, confirmed that neither the programme shown in the fake advertisement nor the investment interview had ever been produced by the broadcaster.

She also said the logos used in the scam were imitations and that Suthichai is not a regular presenter for Thai PBS World.

Thai PBS Verify concluded that the article, images and investment platform were entirely fabricated and warned the public not to provide personal information or transfer money through websites promising unrealistic investment returns.

The fraudulent information targets low-income people, or those facing debt problems, by exploiting the credibility of the former Bank of Thailand governor and other respected figures.

If people believe the claims and transfer the minimum investment of 6,500 baht, they will immediately lose their money and may also have their personal information exploited by call-centre gangs for further criminal activities.

Using the Thai PBS World logo and a layout resembling the Bangkok Post to create a fake website can confuse the public about legitimate news sources and seriously damage the reputations of former senior central bank officials by creating false impressions about their involvement.

Recommendations when encountering such false information:

• Always check the website URL: Even if a website looks like the Bangkok Post, users should check the address bar. Scammers cannot use the real domain name of a legitimate news organisation and often use unusual combinations of numbers and English letters.

• Be suspicious of unrealistic promises of wealth: Any investment scheme claiming that AI can generate hundreds of thousands of baht per month with no risk and requiring only a small initial investment should be treated as a likely pyramid scheme or scam.

• Verify information through official channels: If a report claims that a prominent public figure was involved in a controversy, check the official pages of the relevant news organisations (especially verified accounts with a blue checkmark) directly.

• Do not provide information or transfer money. Report suspicious content: Never enter your name or phone number into suspicious forms. If you encounter similar advertisements on Facebook, report them immediately as spam or scams, or submit the link to Thai PBS Verify for verification to help protect the public.