In this modern era, knowing how to report online fraud has become very important for everyone. Along with advances in technology, crime in cyberspace is increasingly widespread.
Cybercriminals tend to look for loopholes and take advantage of their targets’ ignorance to obtain verification codes, such as One Time Passwords (OTP), with the aim of carrying out detrimental transactions. Therefore, people’s understanding of how to deal with these tactics is very important to protect themselves from potential online fraud.
Online fraud itself refers to various fraudulent tactics carried out over the internet with the intention of deceiving or robbing people to obtain financial gain or personal information.
This includes various forms, such as phishing on crypto assets (data theft), auction fraud, investment fraud, and fraud via fake messages or calls.
So, to understand more about what online fraud is, how to report online fraud, types of online fraud schemes in crypto, and tips for preventing online fraud, Curious? Check out the full review below.
What is online fraud?
Online fraud is a type of crime that occurs via the internet, where the perpetrator aims to deceive or trick other people with the intention of gaining illegal profits.
The modus operandi of online fraud vary greatly, including phishing methods, selling counterfeit products, identity theft, fraudulent investment schemes, and fraud in payment transactions.
In Indonesia, online fraud is a criminal offense that is subject to the law. Perpetrators of fraud can be charged under applicable criminal articles. Apart from criminal law, acts of fraud in Indonesia can also be processed based on the Information and Electronic Transactions (ITE) Law, which regulates crimes in cyberspace.
Therefore, it is very important for you to report cases of online fraud to the authorities.
By reporting the fraud, appropriate steps can be taken and fraud cases can be pursued legally. Through reporting, you contribute to creating a safer digital environment and reducing potential losses for society.
How do I Report Online Fraud?
Basically, knowing how to report online fraud is very important because it has a significant positive impact, both on a personal level and on society as a whole.
The following are several ways to report online fraud, including:
- Report via BRTI Kominfo
The Indonesian Telecommunication Regulatory Agency (BRTI) is a customer complaints service managed by the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information.
Fraud that can be reported through BRTI includes suspicious messages or calls that are indicated as fraud, such as spam messages announcing prizes and others.
Following are the steps for reporting online fraud via BRTI:
- Open the browser on your cellphone or laptop.
- Visit the jasa.kominfo.go.id page in the search engine.
- On the first page, click the “BRTI Complaints” menu or access it directly via the link.
- Fill in the reporter’s data, including name, email address, and cell phone number.
- Select “Complaint” in the “Complaint or Information” column.
- Fill in the complaint column with details.
- Please press the ‘Start Chat’ button to contact the officer.
- Include proof of the report in the form of conversation recordings and/or photos of fraudulent messages.
- Officers will help verify and analyze message conversations that have been sent.
- Next, the officer will create a report ticket for the SMART PPI system and send a notification via email to the telecommunications service provider. This message contains a request to block the cellular telephone number (MSISDN) of the caller and/or message sender.
- Telecommunications service providers will follow up on reports within 1 x 24 hours and provide a report to BRTI regarding complaints that have been followed up.
Complaint completed.
2. Report via Lapor.go.id
Apart from using BRTI services, you can also report online fraud via the Lapor.go.id site, which is managed by the Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (Ministry of PANRB). Here are the steps:
- Open site lapor..go.id.
- Select “Complaints”.
- Write the title and contents of the report in detail.
- Select the date and location of the incident.
- Fill in the name of the destination agency, such as ministry, non-ministerial government agency, agency, agency, PT, and so on.
- Select the “Criminal Crime” category in the “Special Situations” option.
- You can upload report evidence as an attachment with a maximum size of 2 MB.
- Click “REPORT”.
3. Report to the bank
Apart from going through the website, you can also report online fraud directly to the bank concerned. In this case, please contact the bank’s Customer Service (CS) and provide complete information regarding the fraudster’s account and the evidence you have.
4. Report via Cekrekening.id
Apart from that, you can also report online fraud via Cekrekening.id, which is the official website owned by Kominfo and accommodates complaints regarding accounts related to criminal acts. Here’s the guide.
- Open the Cekrekening.id page.
- Click “Report Account”.
- Enter bank data, account number, and name of the account holder.
- Enter the reported data, including the full name and cellphone number.
- Select the “Online Transaction Fraud” category.
- Fill in the nominal amount of loss, transaction media, and fraud chronology.
- Upload evidence of fraud, such as proof of transfer and screenshots of transaction conversations.
- Click “Submit”.
5. Report to the police
Lastly, you also have the option to report online fraud directly to the nearest police station.
Please collect all existing evidence, such as screenshots, letters, or other evidence related to the fraud case, and contact the police to fill out a detailed report regarding the fraud case.
Types of Online Fraud Schemes in Crypto
As the popularity of crypto assets grows, online fraud in the crypto world is also growing. To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, it is important to know the following modus operandi of crypto fraud, including:
1. Free Gifts
This type of crypto scam targets novice crypto players by offering free coin rewards as bait. Fraudsters will usually ask for the victim’s personal data.
However, it’s best not to believe it right away. Therefore, always check the validity of the invitation before taking action. Never send personal data to people you don’t know.
2. Pig butchering scam
“Pig Butchering Scam” is a term that refers to fraud in the crypto world, where fraudsters devise a gradual strategy to access the victim’s crypto wallet and steal their digital assets.
In the context of crypto fraud, this scheme involves several complex steps, starting with an introduction between the fraudster and the victim via social media, then continuing with the fraudster pretending to be a friend or mentor who is experienced in the world of crypto.
After gaining the victim’s trust, the fraudster requests access to the victim’s crypto wallet with promises to help optimize investments or provide profitable trading advice.
Furthermore, fraudsters will usually also make small transfers or send small amounts of crypto to the victim’s wallet to lower their guard.
In the next stage, fraudsters will invite victims to provide an OTP code or seed phrase for various reasons, such as to verify their account or perform a security upgrade.
After gaining access to the OTP code or seed phrase, the fraudster steals all funds from the victim’s crypto wallet.
3. Phishing
Phishing is a common type of cryptographic fraud. In this type, the fraudster will create a fake website or email and then pose as a legitimate employee of the company in question.
They will tell the victim that their account is having problems and ask the victim to enter sensitive data, such as a password or seed phrase, from a crypto wallet to the fake website.
After getting the data, fraudsters can access the victim’s Bitcoin or crypto assets.
4. Ransomware
Ransomware is an attack in which hackers block access to a victim’s website by infiltrating a program onto the victim’s computer.
By simply paying a ransom in Bitcoin, victims can restore their website access. Therefore, it is important to be careful when clicking on links on the internet and downloading programs that require administrator access.
5. Trick Coins
In a crypto environment full of alternative currencies or altcoins, there are more and more crypto scams claiming to be promising new coins.
The modus operandi of this fraud involves inviting investors to invest in new coins before they are listed on exchanges or to purchase new coins at a discount.
Typically, this type of fraud involves a “pump and dump” practice, where the fraudster already has a lot of coins before attracting new investors. They also often hire freelance writers to promote these fake coins through mass media and independent news sources.
Tips to Prevent Online Fraud
In the rapidly developing digital era, understanding and applying tips to prevent online fraud is a very important skill.
As online activity increases, the risk of fraud also increases. Therefore, having knowledge and understanding of how to protect yourself from the threat of online fraud is a must.
The following are a number of tips to prevent online fraud, including:
1. Don’t provide the OTP code
The OTP code is the key to security in online transactions. It is important to note that you never give the OTP code to anyone, including people who claim to be from official institutions. The reason is that fraudsters often use OTP codes to access your account illegally.
2. Get to know the mode used
Learn the modus operandi commonly used by online fraudsters. In this case, be wary of phishing, offers of large rewards, or unusual requests for personal information. Knowledge of this mode can help you identify suspicious actions.
3. Don’t be tempted by big profits
Be careful with offers that are too good to be true, especially those that promise big profits with low risk.
Scammers often use the lure of big profits to attract attention. Do your research before getting involved in investments or transactions that promise unreasonable returns.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in the ever-evolving digital era, increasing awareness and caution when interacting online is the key to protecting yourself from various threats, including fraud, identity theft, and other cyber attacks.
Understanding common fraud tactics, recognizing suspicious activity, and understanding how to protect personal information are important steps to staying safe online.
When you encounter suspicious activity or become a victim of online fraud, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities.
Reporting suspicious activity helps authorities investigate and follow up on the case. Additionally, reporting suspicious activity can also help protect others from becoming similar victims.
So, now you understand what online fraud is, how to report it, the types of online fraud schemes in crypto, and tips for preventing it.
Furthermore, you can also read other interesting articles, such as what a scam is and its characteristics and custody, which is an institution or company where assets are guaranteed safe only at INDODAX Academy.
For additional information, INDODAX Academy is an excellent place to deepen your knowledge of digital assets and expand your understanding of blockchain technology.
After mastering solid knowledge about the world of digital assets and blockchain through the INDODAX Academy, the next step is to start your crypto investment journey at INDODAX.
Before starting to invest in INDODAX, you are advised to download the best and most trusted crypto platform and application first.
Come on, continue to increase your knowledge about the world of digital assets only at INDODAX Academy!
