Police, Meta expand crackdown to cover all scam networks

Police have stepped up cooperation with Meta Platforms Inc, which owns Facebook and Instagram, to broaden a crackdown on online crime beyond gambling pages to cover all forms of scam networks, including investment fraud and fake job schemes, with faster detection and takedown measures, a national police spokesman revealed on Wednesday.

The move follows a joint meeting on Tuesday between the police High-Tech Crime Division and representatives from Meta and Facebook Thailand, aimed at strengthening efforts to combat cybercrime across Facebook’s ecosystem, Pol Lt Gen Trairong Piwpan said on Wednesday.

Under the enhanced framework, authorities will adopt a more proactive approach to identifying and blocking illegal content, pages and activities. The focus will no longer be limited to online gambling, but will extend to a wide range of scam operations, such as fraudulent investment offers and deceptive online job recruitment schemes.

Police plan to utilise data-sharing mechanisms and analytical tools to detect suspicious behaviour and shut down offending accounts swiftly, with the goal of reducing the number of victims.

Alongside enforcement, authorities are also working with Meta and partner agencies to improve digital literacy through a programme called “Digital Citizenship 101”. The initiative will initially target teachers and students at 437 pilot schools, aiming to raise awareness of online threats and promote responsible use of social media. The course is expected to be made available to the public in late June.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong said Meta has so far provided strong cooperation in tackling illegal content. Between Oct 1, 2025 and April 27, the company blocked a total of 158,365 Facebook pages linked to online gambling, reflecting a very high compliance rate compared with regional standards.