16 MPs warn they may vote against Chaiwut over call-centre scams
A group of 16 MPs from small political parties may vote against Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn during the censure debate between July 19 and 22 if he does not tackle call centre scams immediately.
Tairaktham Party MP Peerawit Luengluedolphak, who is also the group’s coordinator, said on Wednesday that his group has faced call centre scams, with the scammers aiming to deceive victims into transferring money to the gang.
He believed citizens nationwide also come under daily attack.
“Call centre gangs use various tricks to deceive victims, such as claiming they are officials at Thailand Post, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the Department of Land Transport or the Royal Thai Police,” he noted.
Peerawit questioned the DES Ministry about how call centre gangs could access citizens’ personal data even though the Personal Data Protection Act came into effect on June 1.
“We would like to know if there are guidelines to protect personal data,” he said.
Peerawit urged Chaiwut to tackle the issue immediately in a bid to gain the confidence of the public.
He said no government agencies had requested money to combat call centre scams, especially agencies named by the scammers who have used their data as a tool.
“The group may have to vote against the ministers responsible for tackling call centre scams in the upcoming no confidence debate,” Peerawit warned.