Computer-Related Crime Act B.E. 2550 (2007), as amended
Covers unauthorised access, data interference and entering false data into a computer system.
Practice area
Cybercrime, Online Fraud & Asset Recovery
Acting quickly when money is transferred by deception or rights are violated online.
Online fraud cases turn on speed, because funds are usually dispersed within hours. We handle digital evidence preservation in court-admissible form, criminal complaints, coordination of account freezing through lawful channels, civil recovery claims, and action against defamatory or unlawfully published content.
What this practice covers
- Collecting and certifying digital evidence for court use
- Filing criminal complaints and liaising with the investigating officers
- Pursuing account freezing through the lawful procedure
- Civil claims to recover funds and damages
- Online defamation and false-information offences
- Action on unlawfully disclosed personal data
- Applications to take down unlawful content
- Preventive advice for businesses receiving online payments
How we work on your matter
- 1Urgent assessment and the actions required in the first 24–48 hours
- 2Preserving slips, chats, emails and destination-account details
- 3Filing the complaint and tracking the case number with investigators
- 4Pursuing freezing channels and requests for the money trail
- 5Assessing whether a parallel civil claim is worthwhile
- 6Reporting progress and options to the client at intervals
Documents to prepare
- Transfer records and the destination account number
- Complete conversation logs with timestamps
- Screenshots of the website, profile or advertisement used
- Original emails including headers where available
- Identification of the injured party
- Any existing police report or case number
Points to watch
- Delay materially reduces the chance of recovering funds.
- Do not delete chats or the account used; they are key evidence.
- Being asked to send more money to "release" funds is a common second-stage scam.
- Recovery depends on whether funds remain traceable; we cannot guarantee return.
Typical timeframe
A complaint can be lodged within days once evidence is ready, but investigation, financial-institution requests and litigation to judgment depend on how complex the money trail is.
Timeframes are indicative only and depend on the authority, the court calendar and the completeness of your documents.
The first 48 hours decide most cases
Funds in online fraud are layered through multiple accounts quickly. The more time passes, the more accounts must be traced and the less remains in each. The correct order is: notify the financial institution first, preserve evidence systematically, and file the complaint without waiting for a perfect file — supplementary documents can be added later.
A common mistake is continuing to contact the fraudster to ask for a refund. It rarely works and gives them time to delete accounts, close channels or reframe the matter as an ordinary civil dispute. Our advice is to stop contact, preserve everything, and let the legal process run.
Laws that govern this matter
Summarised for general understanding only. The application of each provision depends on the facts of your case.
Emergency Decree on Measures for Prevention and Suppression of Technology Crimes B.E. 2566 (2023)
Enables rapid suspension of suspect accounts through financial institutions and state channels.
Criminal Code
Fraud, misappropriation and defamation are the principal offences in online-scam cases.
Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019)
Applies where personal data is unlawfully disclosed and grounds a complaint to the regulator.
Example situations and how they are handled
These are constructed examples used to explain procedure. They are not client matters, and no outcome is implied or guaranteed.
Illustrative scenario: paid a fake online shop, then blocked
Situation: The buyer transfers payment; the seller then closes the social account and stops replying.
Usual approach: The first 24–48 hours matter most: notify the sending bank, file the online police report, and preserve slips, chats and account details before pursuing criminal and civil recovery together. (Hypothetical.)
Illustrative scenario: damaging posts in an online group
Situation: False accusations are posted in a public group and widely shared.
Usual approach: Capture evidence showing URLs and timestamps before requesting takedown — deleting first makes proof difficult — then consider a cease-and-desist and the appropriate legal route.
Advice for your specific situation
Victims of online fraud
- Never pay anyone promising to recover your money — second-stage scams are common.
- Speed improves the chance of freezing funds, but no one can guarantee recovery.
Businesses hit by an attack or data leak
- Preserve system logs and restrict access before remediation, to keep digital evidence intact.
- Check personal-data breach notification duties — the timeframe is short.
Every matter — what to do in the first 7 days
- Gather every original document in one place, keep scanned copies, and note the date you received each one.
- Write a dated timeline — the date you received a notice or learned of the event usually starts the limitation or appeal clock.
- Do not sign a settlement, debt acknowledgement or withdrawal before a lawyer reviews it — it may extinguish existing rights.
- Preserve digital evidence unaltered (full screenshots, original files, emails with headers) — edited files are easy to challenge.
This service in your province
Province pages set out the courts and authorities with jurisdiction locally, and answer the questions people in that area ask.
Frequently asked questions
I was tricked into transferring money — what comes first?
Notify the bank immediately to request a hold, preserve every piece of evidence, and file a police complaint as fast as possible — speed directly affects recovery prospects.
Can action proceed if the offender is overseas?
Thai proceedings are possible where the loss occurred in Thailand; pursuing the person or assets abroad requires international cooperation and takes longer.
Are screenshots usable as evidence?
Yes, but they should capture full context — account name, date, time and how it was accessed. Systematic preservation carries more weight in court.
Criminal complaint or civil claim?
Criminal proceedings punish the offender; civil claims recover the money. The two are often run in parallel to improve the chance of compensation.
Related services
Other practice areas
Litigation & Court RepresentationCivil, criminal, labour, family, succession and land disputesCorporate & CommercialIncorporation, contracts, foreign business, BOI and complianceImmigration & Foreign NationalsVisas, work permits, residency and lawful statusIntellectual PropertyTrademarks, copyright, patents and enforcementLand & Real EstateTitle due diligence, sale, lease and transfer at the Land OfficeFamily & SuccessionMarriage, divorce, custody, wills and estate administrationMediation, Arbitration & EnforcementResolving disputes outside court and making awards effectiveNotarial Services & International DocumentsSignature and document certification, translation, consular and embassy legalisationBOI Promotion & Foreign Business LicensingStructuring foreign investment in Thailand correctly from day one.Tax, Accounting & Employer ComplianceKeeping every statutory tax and accounting deadline under control.PDPA & Data Protection ComplianceBuilding data protection practices that match Thailand’s PDPA.Condominium & Foreign Property OwnershipChecking title, documents and transfer before a major payment is made.Employment & Labour LawAdvising employers and employees under the Labour Protection Act.Integrated Legal Support ServicesInterpreters, documents, agency runs and case tracking in one place.Judgment Enforcement & Asset TracingTurning a judgment into actual recovery through lawful tracing, seizure and attachment.M&A & Legal Due DiligenceChecking what you are buying and structuring the deal so it can actually close.Administrative Law & Appeals Against State DecisionsChallenging unfair administrative decisions through the correct procedure and deadlines.Company Secretarial & Corporate RegistrationsKeeping registrations, meetings and statutory records complete and on time.Wills, Succession & Estate AdministrationDrafting wills that hold up, and administering estates correctly under Thai law.Monthly Retainer Counsel for Businesses & ExpatriatesA standing legal team that knows your business, without hiring in-house staff.
Speak with an attorney about your matter
Tell us the facts and we will explain the options, the documents required and the realistic timeframe before you decide.