Gogolook, the developer of the Whoscall app, has released its annual report for 2024, analyzing the rampant scam situation faced by professionals throughout the year. With 25 million users in Thailand, a total of 168 million instances of deception (spam) were detected through calls and SMS, representing an increase of over 112% over the past 5 years.
The number of fraudulent calls reached 38 million, marking an 85% increase, stemming from deceptive sales tactics, false claims of being affiliated with various companies or organizations, misleading debt collection, and promises of easy loan approvals. Meanwhile, the volume of fraudulent SMS messages reached 130 million, a surge of 123%, attributed to the ease and affordability of sending SMS, making it a preferred method for scammers to exploit. Among the top 5 most common fraudulent SMS messages were:
Offering free credit for online gambling
False claims of delayed package deliveries
Illegal loan offers with instant approval
Impersonating government and private agencies
Deceptive investment schemes with high returns
A significant portion of the damage caused by SMS scams can be traced back to malicious and counterfeit links. Whoscall’s Web Checker feature identified the following types of dangerous links:
Phishing links aimed at extracting money or personal information – 40%
Illegal online gambling links – 30%
Deceptive links for downloading malware-infected apps – 30%
Furthermore, Whoscall’s ID Security feature uncovered that 41% of users’ private data had been compromised, with 97% being email addresses and 88% phone numbers, potentially exposing sensitive information such as full names, birthdates, addresses, and passwords.
Gogolook attributes the surge in fraudulent activities to the increased use of AI by scammers, making their schemes more intricate and a continuous upward trend, in addition to vulnerabilities in financial transaction systems. The key trends to watch out for in scamming practices include impersonating government and private entities, financial fraud, and the growing concerns of personal data leaks.
Officials from the cybercrime investigation unit highlight ongoing improvements in systems and structures over the past 3-4 years, resulting in quicker responses to combat scams. While the overall damage has shown a slight decrease, the importance of system development and technological advancements in efficient data storage, as well as addressing financial transaction vulnerabilities, holds the potential for further reduction in fraudulent activities. Collaboration with national banks and cybercrime authorities aims to tackle these issues and implement preliminary solutions effectively.
TLDR: Gogolook reports a significant increase in scam activities through calls and SMS in 2024, attributing the rise to AI utilization by scammers. Efforts to enhance security measures and address financial transaction vulnerabilities are essential in combating fraudulent practices effectively.
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