Has the promotion of payment apps turned into "online fraud"?

Recently, a humorous incident occurred in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where a Chinese mother and son were mistakenly reported as scammers by Thai netizens for taking photos with a QR code at a hotel entrance. The police were even called to investigate, only to discover it was a misunderstanding—the duo was simply promoting a payment app.

Honestly, these days, seeing a QR code often triggers suspicions of fraud. However, this situation was an overreaction; they were legitimately promoting, with proper promotional materials. The funniest part was that the police investigation revealed that the pair consisted of a student and a parent, hardly a profile fitting a scam gang!

Nevertheless, when promoting abroad, one should be mindful of the approach. Setting up a QR code at a hotel entrance without any prior notice can naturally raise suspicions. Fortunately, the hotel owner was understanding, and the student's parent apologized, leading to a peaceful resolution.

The Chiang Mai police also expressed their exhaustion, issuing a statement to reassure the public of the city's safety and to prevent panic. In my opinion, in today's world, while it's necessary to report suspicious activities, people also deserve a chance to explain. If not for the thorough investigation by the police, this mother and son could have been wrongfully accused. When traveling, it's important to be cautious but not overly suspicious—not all QR codes are scams, and not all Chinese are fraudsters.