Hackers preying on exporters

Hackers preying on exporters

The Department of International Trade Promotion is warning Thai exporters over a rise in incidents of exporters' e-mails being hacked and used by fraudsters to swindle their trade partners out of money that was supposed to be paid to them for imports.

After hacking Thai exporters' e-mails, the fraudsters contacted the hacked exporters' trade partners and asked them to transfer money for the goods they imported to their bank accounts, which some importers did, said Department director-general Somdet Susomboon.

After reports of these e-mail scams, the department now runs a banner, written both in Thai and English, in its website, warning Thai exporters to pay extra attention to their financial transactions with their foreign trade partners.

These scams had not only cost Thai product importers a great deal of money but also damaged the Thai export sector's reputation, he said.

In the event a Thai exporter receives an e-mail from a potential foreign trade partner and doubts its reliability, the exporter is advised to check on the exporter's credentials with overseas trade promotion offices in 59 countries worldwide, he said.

Exporters are also being warned against clicking on links provided in e-mails or providing personal information via websites or e-mail, he said.

In case of a dispute with a trade partner over a suspected e-mail scam, exporters are advised to consult listed the "DITP CARE" section at the department's website at www.ditp.go.th. or contact the Technology Crime Suppression Division.

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