BANGKOK: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra narrowly dodged a high-tech phone scam where fraudsters used AI to mimic the voice of a prominent foreign leader, she revealed on Wednesday, January 15.

In a startling account, the 38-year-old prime minister, who is the youngest daughter of telecoms tycoon and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, described how she received a voice message that sounded remarkably similar to that of a well-known political figure, though she did not disclose their identity. “In the clip, he said he was looking forward to seeing me and collaborating together,” she recounted.

After missing an earlier call from the same number, a second voice message sent the following day raised her suspicions. “The voice mentioned that Thailand was the only ASEAN country that hadn't yet made a donation. When I heard that, I thought, 'this is not right,'” she said, expressing her growing unease.

Soon after, a text message surfaced, requesting a transfer of funds to a bank account outside of Thailand, solidifying her concerns. "At that point, I knew for sure it was a scam," she remarked.

This harrowing experience highlights a growing trend of "call center scams" in Thailand.

Criminals commonly impersonate officials from various institutions, including law enforcement and financial organizations, often initiating contact through automated robocalls.

Interestingly, Paetongtarn's recent revelation of over US$400 million in assets to Thailand's anti-corruption commission demonstrates her commitment to transparency during these unsettling times. Moreover, her father Thaksin, who once owned the prestigious Manchester City football club, boasts a staggering net worth of US$2.1 billion, ranking him as the 10th richest individual in Thailand, according to Forbes. This connection to wealth may ironically make her a bigger target for such fraudulent schemes.

As technology continues to evolve, so too do the tactics of scammers.

This makes it imperative for all, including public figures, to remain vigilant against these increasingly sophisticated threats.