A PROCESSUAL MODEL OF CYBER FRAUD: INTEGRATING THE SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY PHILOSOPHY - AN ANALYSIS OF CYBERCRIME NEWS IN THAILAND

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) Analyze and construct a process model of cyber fraud, and 2) Synthesize the relationship between the process model of cyber fraud and the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP), which consists of the three rings (moderation, reasonableness, and self-immunity) and two conditions (knowledge and morality). This study employed a documentary research method. The data sources were 40 cybercrime news articles published on five online news websites, covering five types of fraud: call-center scams, romance scams, online sales fraud, investment or gambling scams, and email/SMS fraud. The data were analyzed using content analysis, such as identifying key issues, selecting news sources, and collecting news. The research findings revealed that: 1) The five types of cyber fraud share a similar six-step process: initial contact, credibility building, offering or persuasion, increasing pressure, executing the money transfer, and closing contact or escape. In these steps, scammers emphasize quick access to victims, building trust, and then controlling the victims’ decision-making through systematic emotional pressure and manipulation of their motivations. These characteristics reflect the Persuasion Theory, which emphasizes communication aimed at changing attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. 2) The synthesis indicated that every stage of the fraud process demonstrates a disregard for the principles of moderation, reasonableness, and self-immunity-fundamental to rational decision-making-whose absence precipitates erroneous judgments and vulnerability to fraud. The research findings suggest that the model can be utilized as a foundation for designing curricula, public awareness materials, or cyber-risk prevention training programs, as well as serving as a guideline for future research.