Prime Minister Targeted by Sophisticated Scam

In a shocking revelation that underscores the increasing sophistication of online scams, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra admitted on Wednesday that she was the target of a scam caller who used advanced AI voice cloning technology to impersonate a world leader. The incident occurred while she was outlining her governmental strategies for the upcoming fiscal budget of 2026.

Details of the Scam

The Prime Minister recounted how she almost fell victim to this elaborate con. The scammer, posing as a prominent international leader, reached out to her, claiming that Thailand had not yet made a crucial donation. Accompanying this communication was an audio clip with what seemed to be the leader's voice. However, the link provided for the donation directed her to an account in a different country, raising immediate suspicions.

A Close Call

"I want to alert everyone that even I nearly fell prey to this scheme. It's critical to address the growing prevalence and cunning nature of online scams," Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized. The Prime Minister explained that after receiving a call late at night, she initially did not respond, being unaware of the flagrant deception occurring.

Investigation and Response

Upon waking, she sought clarification with a message indicating her unavailability and expressed intent to discuss the matter further. Subsequently, the scammer sent audio messages asking for a donation, falsely stating that Thailand was the only ASEAN nation that had yet to fulfill its obligation. This prompted Ms. Paetongtarn to investigate further, resulting in her discovering that the bank account number provided belonged to another country.

Involving Authorities

Realizing she had narrowly escaped a serious scam, she proceeded to involve Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Economy Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong to handle the situation, as the communications had originated from a foreign application rather than the popular Line app used commonly in Thailand.

A General Warning

The Prime Minister voiced her concern that these scammers might be targeting other individuals, taking advantage of the complex dynamics in international relations. She also recalled a parallel incident related to her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, where a similar scam tried to mislead her with forged audio messages claiming that he was distributing cash.

Final Thoughts

"This is a stark reminder for everyone to remain vigilant," she concluded, urging the public to be cautious and not to fall for deceptive schemes that might exploit their goodwill or trust. As technology evolves, so too do the tactics of online fraudsters, making awareness and education key in combating these threats.