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Bareskrim Polri Arrests Deepfake Distributor of President Prabowo, Fraud Amounts to IDR 65 Million

Image Credit Police Public Relations Doc - Dirtipidsiber Bareskrim Polri Brigadier General Pol. Himawan Bayu Aji (right) with Karopenmas, National Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Pol. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko (center), and Head of the Team for Controlling Illegal Non-Gambling Internet Content at the Directorate General of Supervision of the Digital Space of the Ministry of Communication and Technology Okky Robiana Sulaeman when showing a number of pieces of evidence in the deepfake case at a press conference at the Police Criminal Investigation Building, Jakarta, Friday (7/2/2025).
Image Credit Police Public Relations Doc - Dirtipidsiber Bareskrim Polri Brigadier General Pol. Himawan Bayu Aji (right) with Karopenmas, National Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Pol. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko (center), and Head of the Team for Controlling Illegal Non-Gambling Internet Content at the Directorate General of Supervision of the Digital Space of the Ministry of Communication and Technology Okky Robiana Sulaeman when showing a number of pieces of evidence in the deepfake case at a press conference at the Police Criminal Investigation Building, Jakarta, Friday (7/2/2025).

JAKARTA, INDONESIAUPDATES.COM – The Directorate of Cyber Crime (Dittipidsiber) of the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri) has once again uncovered a case of digital fraud using artificial intelligence (AI). This time, the perpetrator, identified as JS (25), a daily wage laborer from Pringsewu Regency, Lampung, was arrested for spreading deepfake videos of President Prabowo Subianto on social media.

Modus Operandi of the Perpetrator

According to Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, Director of Cyber Crime at Bareskrim Polri, the suspect JS used AI technology to create and distribute videos featuring President Prabowo and Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, falsely appearing to offer financial assistance to the public.

“JS uploaded the video to the Instagram account @indoberbagi2025, which he managed, accumulating approximately 9,399 followers. He also included a WhatsApp number, instructing victims to fill out a registration form for financial aid,” Himawan explained at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday (7/2/2025).

Once victims were convinced, they were asked to transfer a certain amount of money under the pretense of administrative fees. Investigations since December 2024 revealed that the perpetrator scammed around 100 people from 20 provinces, with the highest number of victims from East Java, Central Java, and Papua. The total losses suffered by the victims reached IDR 65 million.

Legal Charges Against the Perpetrator

JS has been charged under Law No. 1 of 2024 on Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE), specifically Article 51 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 35, carrying a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 12 billion.

Additionally, he faces charges under Article 378 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) for fraud, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 4 years and a fine of up to IDR 500 million.

The Importance of Digital Awareness to Prevent Fraud

This case highlights the increasing misuse of deepfake technology for criminal activities. The public is urged to be more vigilant and learn how to detect fake videos used in online scams. The police advise people not to trust unverified information and to always verify sources before making financial transactions.

“Do not easily fall for offers of financial aid or giveaways allegedly from government officials. If you encounter suspicious content, report it to the authorities immediately,” Himawan emphasized.

Law enforcement against deepfake perpetrators aims to serve as a deterrent to other potential criminals. Meanwhile, digital education and media literacy remain key in preventing similar cases in the future. By increasing public awareness, AI-based fraud can be minimized.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is deepfake?
Deepfake is an AI technology used to create realistic but manipulated videos or images.

2. How did the perpetrator carry out the deepfake fraud?
The suspect spread fake videos making it seem like President Prabowo was offering financial assistance, then tricked victims into transferring money for administrative fees.

3. How can you avoid deepfake-based fraud?
Always verify information from official sources, avoid transferring money without confirming the legitimacy of the offer, and report suspicious content to authorities.

4. What are the penalties for distributing deepfake content that harms the public?
Perpetrators can face up to 12 years in prison and a fine of IDR 12 billion under the ITE Law, along with up to 4 years in prison under the Criminal Code for fraud.

5. How can I report suspicious deepfake content?
You can report it to the police through the official website of Bareskrim Polri or contact Indonesia’s cybercrime complaint services.

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