Deepfake ads of officials and fake "business capital" aid

What happened

Pak Harjo has run his grocery warung since he was young. That afternoon a video of a senior official appeared on his social media. The face and voice were exact. "The government is giving business capital to small business owners. Register now through the WhatsApp number below."

The WhatsApp admin was very friendly. He sent a form, then explained there was an "administration fee" before the money could be paid out. That's where Pak Harjo stopped. Why pay for aid? He showed the video to his son, and they checked the ministry's official website. There was no such programme.

This has already happened

In January 2025, the Indonesian police's criminal investigation agency (Bareskrim) arrested a suspect who spread deepfake videos of the President, the Vice President and other officials appearing to offer cash aid. Victims were sent to a WhatsApp number, filled in a form and were then asked to transfer an administration fee. The aid never existed. Police counted 11 victims in that case.

In July 2026, the Ministry of Finance called a video of the Finance Minister offering aid that could be used as business capital a deepfake hoax. The ministry stressed that it has never paid cash grants to individuals or the general public. OJK, Indonesia's financial services authority, also lists deepfakes of public figures, officials and celebrities among AI-based fraud methods.

Warning signs

• A video of an official or celebrity promises money, grants or business capital, then sends you to a WhatsApp number or a form.
• There is a fee before the aid is paid: an administration fee, a payout fee or a stamp duty fee.
• You are asked to send a photo of your ID card (KTP), family card (KK) or an OTP code in a private chat.
• The lips don't match the voice, or the video only appears on unverified accounts.
• There is an urgent deadline: "limited quota", "today is the last day".

Rules for your shop

1. 1Aid is never paid for in advance. The Ministry of Social Affairs states that all social aid is distributed without any fee. Anyone who asks for payment for aid is a scammer.
2. 2Check only on websites ending in .go.id or on verified official accounts. For social aid, status can be checked at cekbansos.kemensos.go.id.
3. 3Never send your KTP, KK or OTP codes in a chat to anyone promising aid.
4. 4Don't share the video, even to ask about it. Ask your family directly without forwarding the link to groups.
5. 5Talk to your parents about this. They are often targeted because they trust an official's face on screen.

If it already happened

1. If you transferred a "fee", call your bank right away on its official number and ask them to hold the transfer.
2. Report it to the Indonesia Anti-Scam Centre at iasc.ojk.go.id or through your bank.
3. If you sent a photo of your KTP or KK, watch for loans or accounts opened in your name, and tell your bank.
4. Report the video or account using the report button on the social media platform where you saw it.

Full steps for the first hour: Already been scammed?