Thailand Scams and How to Report Them: Numbers and Steps
Report a crime against a tourist to the Tourist Police on 1155. For an online or phone scam where money was lost, call AOC 1441 and press 1. After the call, meet the investigator at the police station within 7 days. Trafficking or kidnapping-style scams go to 1599, open 24 hours.
On this page
Our team has dealt with scams while living in Thailand. The scams below are the ones an official body describes: the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Royal Thai Police, the Tourist Police and the UK Foreign Office. Each section ends with what to do next. The reporting channels come first, because the right number depends on the type of scam.
Which number to call
The Tourist Police hotline 1155 is for crimes involving tourists. The Royal Thai Police number 191 is for reporting an incident to police officers. The Anti Online Scam Operation Center works through the hotline 1441 only.
| Situation | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Crime against a tourist | 1155 | Tourist Police Bureau |
| Incident to report to police officers | 191 | Public Relations Department list |
| Online or phone scam, money lost | 1441 | Ministry of Digital Economy and Society |
| Trafficking, coercion or similar scams | 1599, open 24 hours | Anti-Trafficking in Persons Center |
| Consumer complaint | 1166 | Office of the Consumer Protection Board |
| Non-compliant online shopping | 1212 | Recommended by AOC staff |
| Immigration Police | 1178 | Tourist Police Bureau list |
| Department of Land Transport | 1584 | Public Relations Department list |
The Tourist Police app and stations
The Thailand Tourist Police app is for requesting immediate assistance, translation services and tourism information. It is a free download. It is available to tourists who do not have a Thai SIM card.
Stations cover Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui. In Bangkok the Bureau runs three stations: Bangkok North, Bangkok South and Thonburi. The Bureau announced a No Gift Policy for fiscal year 2026, an intention to refrain from accepting any kind of gifts or gratuities. The Tourist Police page has more.
Online fraud: the AOC hotline
The Anti Online Scam Operation Center provides its services through the hotline 1441 and offers no contact through social media or other channels. The hotline has three options.
- Press 1 to report and request the suspension of suspicious accounts.
- Press 2 to request lifting the suspension of personal accounts.
- Press 3 to seek legal advice.
What to have ready before you call
The centre asks for the victim’s full name and national ID number. Have the victim’s bank name, account number and the date and time of the transaction ready. Have the scammer’s bank name and account number ready.
Add a brief overview of the case: the timeline, the channels the scammer used, or the platform. Give the phone number where you want to receive the SMS from Thai Police Online. If the wait is long, do not hang up and redial, because that puts you at the end of the queue.
What happens on the call
- If the case involves non-compliant online shopping, AOC staff recommend contacting the 1212 hotline.
- AOC staff forward the call to the victim’s bank for KYC verification.
- The victim’s details go to the Thaipoliceonline system, which generates a Police Case ID.
- The victim can choose the police station, and an SMS follows within 24 hours.
- Even after KYC and an online report, victims are required by law to meet an investigator at the designated police station within 7 days.
Gem and jewellery scams
Strangers who pose as government representatives, and drivers who promise a special one-day sale, are to be avoided. Street touts who point to nearby gem shops with deals that will make you rich are almost always a scam. A price far below the set price is a warning sign.
Three checks apply before buying.
- Look for the Jewel Fest Club (JFC) logo. The club was founded in 1995 by TAT, the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association, the Tourist Police and the Department of Export Promotion.
- Ask for a detailed receipt that lists the type of stone, colour, weight, size, cut and quality.
- For larger pieces, ask for a recent laboratory report from the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) or the Asian Institute of Gemological Science (AIGS).
Passports, drinks, cards and job offers
A rental business may hold on to a passport against claimed damage. Do not hand a passport over as a guarantee, for example to motorcycle or jet-ski rental businesses. Police may ask to check your passport, and a copy of the photo page is usually enough.
Drink spiking and drug-assisted sexual assault happen in tourist areas across Thailand. Drinks should not be left unattended or accepted from strangers.
Fake drinks, card skimming and fake jobs
Alcoholic drinks containing methanol have caused deaths and serious illness in Thailand. Methanol cannot be identified by taste or smell, and even small amounts can kill. ATM skimming has occurred, so use an ATM in a bank and protect your PIN.
Job offers that seem too good to be true can be scams. People have been illegally transported to neighbouring countries on the promise of high-paying jobs. Reported incidents include passports confiscated by scammers and pressure to make large payments to be released.
Tuk-tuk detours, jet skis and scooters
Give a tuk-tuk or taxi driver exact instructions on where to go. Decline offers of a sight-seeing route for a few extra baht, because the route may end at a gem store.
Rent jet skis or scooters only from a reputable company. Inspect the vehicle and document any prior damage before you ride. Do not leave a passport as the deposit.
Phone threats and virtual kidnapping
Thai and foreign visitors are advised to be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from officials. The warning signs are threats, money demands, and instructions to isolate from family or travel alone. In June 2026 a cross-border virtual kidnapping scam linked to Thailand targeted a 21-year-old student, and the Royal Thai Police found her unharmed.
A traveller who gets such contact should pause, verify directly with family members or relevant authorities, and report it immediately. The Royal Thai Police Anti-Trafficking in Persons Center hotline for trafficking, coercion or similar scams is 1599, open 24 hours.
After a scam: report and keep proof
If money, a passport or other valuables are lost or stolen, report it to the local police as soon as possible. Ask the police for a statement about the loss or a crime report; you may need it for an insurance claim. In most countries you must report a crime to the police before you leave the country if you want it investigated.
Foreign police are under no obligation to open a case, particularly if the crime was not reported before you left the country. A British passport holder must report a lost or stolen passport immediately. The UK Foreign Office can help find an English-speaking lawyer or a translator or interpreter, but it cannot give legal advice.
Step by step
- Stop and verify the contactA traveller who gets an unsolicited call or message claiming to be from officials should pause, verify directly with family members or relevant authorities, and report it immediately.
- Pick the right numberCall 1155 for crimes involving tourists, 1441 for online scams and 1599 for trafficking or coercion scams.
- Have the details readyHave the victim's bank name, account number and the date and time of the transaction ready, plus the scammer's bank name and account number.
- Call the AOC hotlinePress 1 to report and request the suspension of suspicious accounts. The call is forwarded to the victim's bank for KYC verification.
- Meet the investigatorThe details go to Thaipoliceonline, which generates a Police Case ID, and an SMS follows within 24 hours. Meet the investigator at the police station within 7 days.
Not confirmed: Taxi meter refusal, bar-bill scams and fake closures: no official description with fine amounts was read, so none are listed. Fake police: not sourced. Department of Land Transport 1584: no complaint scope was read for it. The gem tips come from an older TAT page; check the JFC list on the day.
Common questions
What number do I call to report a scam in Thailand?
Call the Tourist Police hotline 1155 for crimes involving tourists. For an online or phone scam, the Anti Online Scam Operation Center works through the hotline 1441. For trafficking or coercion scams, call 1599, open 24 hours.
How do I report an online scam in Thailand?
On the hotline 1441, press 1 to report and request the suspension of suspicious accounts. Staff forward the call to the victim's bank for KYC verification. The details then go to the Thaipoliceonline system, which generates a Police Case ID.
How long do I have to visit the police after calling 1441?
Even after KYC and an online report, victims are required by law to meet an investigator at the designated police station within 7 days. An SMS with the Police Case ID follows within 24 hours.
What do I need before calling the scam hotline?
Have the victim's bank name, account number and the date and time of the transaction ready. Have the scammer's bank name and account number ready. The centre asks for the victim's full name and national ID number.
Is there a Tourist Police app?
The Thailand Tourist Police app is for requesting immediate assistance, translation services and tourism information. It is a free download. It is available to tourists who do not have a Thai SIM card.
How do I spot a gem scam?
Street touts who point to nearby gem shops with deals that will make you rich are almost always a scam. Strangers who pose as government representatives are also to be avoided. A price far below the set price is a warning sign.
What should I do if a caller says a relative has been kidnapped?
A traveller who gets such contact should pause, verify directly with family members or relevant authorities, and report it immediately. The Royal Thai Police advise caution about unsolicited calls claiming to be from officials. The hotline for trafficking, coercion or similar scams is 1599.
Should I give my passport to a motorbike rental shop?
A rental business may hold on to a passport against claimed damage, so a passport should not be handed over as a guarantee. Police may ask to check your passport, and a copy of the photo page is usually enough.
Do I need a police report for insurance?
Ask the police for a statement about the loss or a crime report; you may need it for an insurance claim. Report the loss to the local police as soon as possible.
Can the UK embassy help after a scam in Thailand?
The UK Foreign Office can help find an English-speaking lawyer or a translator or interpreter. It cannot give you legal advice.
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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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