Online Scams & Fraud in Indonesia

June 28, 2023

Indonesia faces a continuous threat in the form of online scams and fraud. Startling reports reveal that a staggering 25% of Indonesian citizens have fallen victim to the wily tactics employed by cybercriminals.

In response to this growing epidemic, Indonesian authorities are striving to combat these cyber threats through increased vigilance, public awareness campaigns, and the enactment of stringent cybersecurity regulations. However, the battle against online scams and fraud is an ongoing struggle, as criminals adapt and evolve their tactics to exploit the ever-expanding digital frontier.

Join us on this journey as we reveal where you can report scams in Indonesia, how to report online scams, and where you can get victim support.

Scam Statistics in Indonesia

The key statistics on online fraud in Indonesia, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.

  2018 2019 2020 2021
Population 267 million 270 million 273 Million 276 million
Internet Penetration 40% 48% 54% 62%
# of Scams         
Scams / 1,000        
Money Lost        
Money Lost / Capita        
Money Lost / Report        

The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.

Where Can I Report a Scam in Indonesia?

  • The Police- You can also report online scams and fraud to the police at your nearest police station. 
  • People's Online Aspirations and Complaints Service (LAPOR!)- File your complaint here either through SMS 1708 (Telkomsel, Indosat, Three), Twitter @lapor1708, and mobile applications (Android and iOS).

How to Report a Scam in Indonesia

Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.

  • Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
  • Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
  • Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
  • Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.

Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.

Scam Victim Support in Indonesia

We are unaware of any scam victim support organization in Indonesia.

How to Check for a Scam in Indonesia

Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.

Popular Scams in Indonesia

Investment Scams

The allure of quick wealth has made investment scams a prevalent issue in Indonesia. In 2022, the country witnessed the aftermath of one particularly notorious platform as 144 individuals filed reports against it. Collectively, the reported losses were amounting to an estimated 83.3 billion rupiah ($5.7 million). 

Sadly, this case is just one of many, as over 3,000 investment platforms have been shut down in recent years due to fraudulent activities. The victims of these scams are often younger than 40, socially media-savvy individuals who are lured by the promise of rapid financial gains. The combination of financial vulnerability and the desire for quick prosperity creates a fertile ground for scammers to exploit. This highlights the importance of heightened vigilance and education in protecting potential investors from falling victim to such schemes. Do your due diligence before giving your money to any investment platform or fund manager.

Scam News From Indonesia

Image source: unsplash.com

 

Report a Scam!

Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!

Help & Info

Popular Stories

As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu

So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking.  If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller.  The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the