Watch Chinese Short Dramas & Earn 1,400 Baht? This Is Just Scam Tactic

Thai PBS Verify found the source of fake news from: TikTok

A “Watch Chinese short dramas, then get paid” advertisement

Thai PBS Verify discovered a TikTok account promoting the app called ‘FreeFlick.’ It advertised that users could get paid 500 baht per day without working — simply by watching one‑minute ‘duanju,’ or Chinese short dramas. The ad claims viewers earn 135 baht per clip, 1,350 baht for 10 minutes, and more than 6,750 baht in a week.

The video drew 992 reactions, 23 comments, 79 saves, and 37 shares. Some comments noted that after watching, users were unable to withdraw money.

Is the drama‑watching app real?

When checking the ‘CashDrama’ application, it was found that on Google Play it has been downloaded more than five million times.

After opening the application, the home page shows an image of 600 baht at the top, along with a message stating that users must accumulate 1,400 baht before they can withdraw the money.

The home page of the app once opened.

While users are watching clips of short dramas, the running text line appears showing people who supposedly have received money. After completing three episodes of short dramas, the accumulated balance is displayed in the earnings section. However, it takes more than five hours to reach the full 1,400 baht. Throughout, messages keep appearing and claiming how much other users have earned.

During playback, the running text claims that people are receiving money.

After completing the required number of episodes, the app displays a message “money received.”

It was also found that, within the clips of short dramas, users are prompted to download to watch and earn money. However, after finishing a clip, various advertisements appear encouraging viewers to watch more ads to increase their earnings. These ads include loan apps, games, and shopping applications.

A screen shot shows when users attempt to claim double earnings, an advertisement appears with hidden loan app promotions.

Police warn of three online scam tactics

Pol. Lt. Col. Wasuthep Jai‑in, Deputy Superintendent of the Patrol and Special Operation Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau, explained that such clips are merely fake applications designed to lure viewers with promises of rewards. They claim that if viewers watch the required amount of short dramas, they can withdraw money. This is a form of investment fraud, for example, promising withdrawals after watching 10 clips. Yet to withdraw more money, they are forced to pay a deposit or insurance fee first. Though it may seem harmless to just watch clips, many victims have been deceived.

For prevention, the key is to verify the source of any app or platform. Legitimate, well‑known platforms can be used normally, but advertisements must be treated with caution since anyone can buy ads.

Whenever viewers are urged to contact a page or channel owner and are asked to click extra links, that indicates the beginning of a scam. Whether it’s clicking for prizes or being persuaded to invest, the risk is high. Finally, if it is necessary to register for a service or transfer money, it should only be sent to an account under the company’s name. If asked to transfer to a personal account, assume immediately that it is a scam.

What is the truth?

Thai PBS Verify found that the application in question is a platform offering Chinese short dramas, promoted with claims of earning money if viewers watch the required amount. However, upon testing, each clip yielded far less than advertised. To earn more, users were prompted to watch multiple ads — most of which were loan apps, games, or shopping platforms. Reaching the required threshold took far longer than the 10 minutes promised in the ads.

Impacts of false information

• Drained back account: if victims click on suspicious links or download apps (.APK files), scammers can remotely control the phone and transfer money out instantly.
• Fake “fees”: victims are often tricked into paying small amounts (e.g., registration fees, taxes) in exchange for a promised 1,400-baht payout, but in the end, no money is ever returned.
• Data leaks: entering personal details such as name, phone number, or ID card number to “register for money” results in data being sold to other call center scam rings.
• Identity misuse to open mule accounts: in some cases, scammers trick victims into face scanning for verification, which can then be used to impersonate them in illegal transactions.
• Malware infections: fake short dramas apps often carry viruses that slow devices, cause crashes, or drain batteries abnormally fast, as data is constantly sent to scammer servers.

Some comments that they were not able to withdraw the prize money.