Thai PBS Verify has identified a Facebook page named “Amazing Hot Deals” that ran advertisements falsely claiming to be the “Tree Lovers Association” and the “Thai Seed Trade Association Free Seedling Giveaway.” Upon investigation, it was found that the page used images from other sources to deceive users. A warning has been issued advising people not to fall for this scam, as they may risk having their personal information stolen or suffering financial loss.
Source: Facebook
Verification Process
Investigations revealed that the “Amazing Hot Deals” Facebook page was running advertisements claiming to be the “Tree Lovers Association” and the “Thai Seed Trade Association Free Seedling Giveaway.”
The advertisement stated: “18 types of free trees! No registration required. Each person can receive up to 1,000 trees per year. Available today, shipped nationwide for free. Let’s plant trees together for a greener world at your home – Tree Lovers Association.”
This misleading advertisement attracted significant engagement, with over 1.2 million video views, 6,800 reactions, and nearly 4,000 inquiries.
Upon further examination, the page was found to have 12,000 followers and introduced itself as: “Welcome to the green world! Due to a high volume of messages, we are unable to provide individual tracking numbers. To facilitate tracking and delivery, please add us on LINE.”
Additionally, the page is labeled as a personal blog, but upon checking its contact and business details, it was misleadingly categorized as a dine-in restaurant with outdoor seating.
The page transparency section revealed that the page was originally created on December 25, 2020, under the name “Jayson Alegre TV.” The name was later changed to “Amazing Hot Deals” on July 25, 2024. The page is currently managed by someone located in Vietnam
The page frequently posts advertisements selling various tree species. When we used Google Lens to verify one of the images advertisings two Osmanthus trees for 199 THB, The search revealed that the exact same image had been taken from an e-commerce platform, where the trees were originally sold for 140 THB, indicating a case of image reuse and price manipulation to deceive users.
Similarly, when verifying their shipping schedule post using Google Lens, we found that the image was originally taken from the Facebook page of “Suan Chawiwan Garden” (Yasothon), a legitimate nursery selling economic forest tree seedlings.
Thai PBS Verify contacted “Suan Chawiwan Garden, Yasothon” and the owner confirmed that the images were taken from their garden without permission. The attempted to reached out to the fake page for clarification but was blocked by the page. As a result, they posted a public warning, urging people not to be deceived by the impersonation.
Additionally, we tested messaging the fake page. The page responded:
“For verification, please provide the following details: Province, Phone Number, Age.”
This suggests that the fake page was attempting to collect personal data.
Impact of This False Information
The post reached 1.2 million views, with 3,800 inquiries from people interested in receiving free trees. This indicates a high risk that many people may have unknowingly shared their personal information, making them vulnerable to scams or financial losses.
How to Spot and Protect Yourself from Such Scams
If you encounter similar advertisements or have already provided personal details, consider the following precautions:
✅ Check if the page frequently changes its name.
✅ Look for “angry” reactions on posts – scammers can delete comments, but they cannot remove user reactions.
✅ Be skeptical of giveaway promotions – especially those promising free items or money for completing tasks.
✅ Block suspicious phone numbers or LINE IDs to prevent further contact.
✅ Always remember: These scammers are professionals at deceiving people.
