DE warns farmers to beware of fake claims that BAAC is offering loans through TikTok accounts, as scammers may use such schemes to steal money and personal information.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE), through the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand (AFNC), has released the latest results of its fake news monitoring and reporting efforts. The initiative is in line with the policy of Mr.Chaichanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, to strengthen public awareness of technology-related crimes, fake news, and misinformation.
AFNC monitored a total of 130,589 messages and identified 2,075 messages requiring verification. The largest number of reports came from Social Listening channels, accounting for 2,071 messages, followed by two reports received through the AFNC Line Official account and two reports through Facebook. A total of 13 issues were investigated, with verification results received from relevant agencies for eight cases.
Among the seven stories that attracted the greatest public attention, one was confirmed as true, four were identified as fake news, and two were classified as misleading information. These included:
- Misleading Information: The National Park Committee approved the transfer of 155,865 rai of Thap Lan forest land to the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO).
- True News: The Governor of Surat Thani ordered an investigation into reports of foreigners holding Thai national ID cards on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
- Fake News: Thailand came under attack at Hill 350.
- Fake News: BAAC offers bank loans and inquiries through a TikTok account.
- Fake News: Cambodian nationals can obtain a 60-day tourist visa in Thailand.
- Misleading Information: Cambodia warned that if Thailand cancels the Siam-France Treaty, it would effectively cancel border agreements with Laos.
- Fake News: A 40-mm grenade fired from Cambodia landed just 100 meters from a Thai military base.
One of the most notable fake stories claimed that the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) was offering loans through a TikTok account identified as “_8383534”. The DE Ministry coordinated with BAAC under the Ministry of Finance and confirmed that the information is false.
In this case, scammers created a fake TikTok profile and account to impersonate a BAAC loan program, which could mislead members of the public into believing the offer was legitimate.
BAAC confirmed that it has no policy or operation of this kind and has already reported the account for removal.
The DE Ministry remains concerned about the spread of fake news and misinformation across online and social media platforms. Sharing unverified information may lead to misunderstanding, financial losses, misuse of personal information, and broader impacts on society.
The public is encouraged to trust and share information only from official sources and to carefully verify facts and website links before believing or forwarding any information.
People who encounter suspicious information or possible fake news can report it or verify information through the Anti-Fake News Center Thailand via Hotline 1111 ext. 87, available 24 hours a day.