The Polri Criminal Investigation Unit’s Cyber Crimes Directorate has presented seven suspects from two illegal online loan clusters that threatened and extorted victims by intimidating them into disclosing their personal data.

progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – Officers from the Polri’s Cyber Crime Directorate (Dittipidsiber) have busted an illegal online loan (pinjol) network operating through the Dompet Seleberiti and Pinjaman Lancar apps. This malicious activity was uncovered after a victim, HFS, reported a series of threats, extortion, and the distribution of personal data, even though all of his loans had been repaid. He suffered losses as a result of this malicious activity amounting to Rp1,4 billion due to repeated payments due to intimidation.

Furthermore, a rapid-fire investigation revealed that up to 400 victims were unexpectedly identified as targets of this illegal online loan network. The victims reported being harassed via SMS, WhatsApp, and social media. Some victims were even sent manipulated pornographic photos. These photos were superimposed over the victim’s face for the purpose of blackmail.

The Deputy Director of Cyber Crimes at the Polri Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri), Kombes Pol Andri Sudarmadi, in an official statement strongly condemned this malicious act.

“Illegal online lenders collect all user data from mobile phones, then charge unreasonable interest rates, and collect debts through threats and the distribution of personal data. This is a very serious and disturbing crime,” he emphasized at a press conference held on Thursday afternoon (20/11) at the Polri Criminal Investigation Agency.

Evidence from two illegal online loan clusters whose activities were successfully uncovered by the Polri Criminal Investigation Unit’s Cyber Crimes Directorate

While explaining the results of the efforts to uncover this malicious act, Kombes Pol Andri stated that seven Indonesian suspects from two clusters were charged.

In the first cluster, the Desk Collection Cluster, the four suspects charged were N.E.L aka J.O, then S.B, R.P, and S.T.K. Evidence recovered from this cluster included 11 cellphones, 46 SIM cards, a laptop, and a mobile banking account.

The second cluster, the Financing Cluster (Payment Gateway) – PT Odeo Teknologi Indonesia – involved three suspects, I.J, A.B, and A.D.S. Evidence from this cluster included 32 mobile phones, 12 SIM cards, nine laptops, an EDC machine, bank books, ATM cards, company documents, and CCTV equipment.

Investigators have also blocked and confiscated Rp14,28 billion in funds related to this illegal online loan (lending) activity. Meanwhile, two foreign suspects, LZ and Sila, who acted as developers of the illegal online loan application, are being pursued through a collaborative network with the International Relations Division (Divhubinter) and Interpol.
The investigation is ongoing to trace the flow of funds, the roles of each suspect, and the perpetrators’ networks abroad.

“We urge the public to be more cautious. Check the legality of loan applications through the official OJK website before applying for a loan. Legal online loans are supervised by the OJK, protect personal data, and have a collection mechanism that complies with regulations. So, don’t fall prey to malicious illegal services that exploit personal data for extortion,” Kombes Pol Andri emphasized. (Bembo)