Cyber Police Warn of 8 Yi Peng Festival Scams
Cyber Police Division 4 warned the public about eight prevalent online scams during the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Festival, including fake accommodation deals, counterfeit tickets, bogus transport bookings, and phishing links. Authorities urged festival-goers to verify all bookings through official channels, check recipient account names before transferring money, and avoid sharing personal data or clicking suspicious links. Victims should immediately contact their bank and report the incident via the Thai Police Online portal or the 1441 hotline.
Cyber Police Division 4 issued a warning about eight online scams targeting locals and tourists during the Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai. On November 11, 2026, Division Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Kritsan Buranratanyot and Deputy Commander Pol. Col. Naruwat Khamphilo revealed that while many people travel to experience the beautiful traditions, scammers seize the opportunity to deceive through online channels — including accommodation bookings, event ticket sales, and various tourism services.
The eight scams to watch for are: fake cheap accommodation pages; counterfeit VIP or special entry tickets; bogus shuttle or car rental bookings; fraudulent krathong, floating lantern, or activity package sales; fake QR codes or payment links; phishing pages offering free rights or promotions to harvest personal data; non-existent tourism products and services; and malicious apps designed to steal information.
To stay safe: verify pages and organizers through official channels; contact service providers directly to confirm bookings; check the recipient account name before every transfer; avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading untrusted apps; never share OTP codes, passwords, or personal data with anyone.
If you fall victim to online fraud, immediately contact your bank to halt transactions and file a report via www.thaipoliceonline.com or the AOC 1441 hotline.
