Beware of transferring money and not getting a place to stay! Fake pages are actively crafting content to lure victims ahead of “Songkran.” Recently, one posting as a provider of Khao Yai accommodation has gained more followers than the authentic page. Warning: Always verify carefully before making any payments to avoid being scammed!
Finding beautiful and affordable accommodations during the upcoming Songkran festival is a golden opportunity to secure your stay early and beat others to the best deals.
However, did you know that this is also the time when scammers create fake pages to deceive victims? Recently, Thai PBS Verify discovered a fake page with more followers than the real one, which has been used to scam victims, causing them to lose thousands of baht.
Source: Facebook
Upon investigation, it was found that the Facebook page “Private Pool Villa Khaoyai,” which has 11,000 followers, posted images of accommodations along with the following caption:
“Private Pool Villa Khaoyai is offering a new promotion for only 4,900 THB. Immerse in nature and get close to the mountains.🌿Experience luxury with our pool villa surrounded by mountains, fully equipped with comprehensive amenities. ✔️
This post, shared on November 19, 2024, received 1,300 likes, 86 shares, and hundreds of comments from people inquiring about the accommodation details. (Recorded Link)
However, we used Google Lens image verification tool to examine the image in the post and found that it matches an image from the “Private Pool Villa Khaoyai” page, which shares the same name. The image was originally posted on August 2, 2024. (Recorded Link)
We contacted the mentioned page and received confirmation that the image posted on August 2, 2024, was indeed used by a fake page.
The first reported victims emerged around November 2024, as several individuals reached out, stating they had transferred money to book accommodations but were unable to make further contact after the payment. (Recorded Links here and here)
The page promptly posted a warning to prevent people from being deceived and making incorrect payments, as fake pages had replicated images and videos from their posts to mislead potential victims. (Recorded Link)
It was also noted that we should check the follower count to identify fake pages. Genuine pages typically have a few hundred followers, with the current real page having only 425 followers, whereas the fake page boasts over 11,000 followers. Additionally, payments for bookings are strictly made under the name of the company “Smart KY Management Co., Ltd.” and never to personal bank accounts.
Verification Process
Analyze the images in the post using Google Lens image verification.
Take any image you’re unsure about or want to verify and use Google Lens to check if it matches images from other sources.
Checking page transparency
Review the transparency of the page by going to the “About” section and selecting “Page Transparency.” This section reveals details about when the page was created and whether it has undergone any name changes. Upon inspection, it was found that the page was created on November 19, 2024, the same day it launched its advertisements. However, the page has not changed its name since its creation.
Upon investigating the page administrators, it was revealed that the fake page is managed by people from several countries, including India, Myanmar, and the Philippines, raising suspicions about its authenticity.
Verification from the accommodation owner or page owner Call the owner for direct clarification and ensure it is authentic. Additionally, we can request the accommodation owner to video call for further confirmation.
Impact of the False Information
The fake page has attracted a significant following, with 11,000 followers compared to only 425 on the real page. By using the cover photo, profile picture, and videos from the authentic page, it creates confusion, leading people to mistakenly transfer money to the fake page. More than 160 inquiries about accommodation prices have been received, mostly from individuals unaware they were dealing with a fake page. Victims typically realize they’ve been scammed only after transferring the money and losing contact with the scammer, or when the stay date nears and they receive no contact from the accommodation.
Recommended Response
Suggestions for when encountering false information
Verify the page’s authenticity: Search the page name or the accommodation on Google website to see if it matches other pages or properties.
Check page transparency: Look for details such as whether the page has changed its name before or where the administrators are located.
Ensure the information before making payments: Verify the recipient’s account name with trusted websites like blacklistseller.com or chaladohn.com. If the account is personal, make sure to double-check since large accommodations typically don’t use personal accounts for payments.
Spot errors in the page name: Scammers may add dots or special characters to mimic genuine pages.
Analyze page content and interactions: Look for reviews from real customers and monitor reactions like angry emojis on posts, as scammers often block or delete negative comments, but reactions remain visible. Angry reactions might indicate victims exposing the fake page.
Use photos from real places for confirmation: Ask the accommodation owner to do a live stream or video call to confirm before transferring money, or request product demonstration videos to add assurance before payment.
Avoid buying through Facebook: Since it is harder to verify account ownership, opt for trusted travel websites like Agoda or Booking.com.
