JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The case of embezzlement of Rp 28 billion from\nthe Catholic Parish Church of Aek Nabara in North Sumatra by a rogue\nbank employee serves as a harsh reminder to the public not to be\ncomplacent in financial transactions.<\/p>\n
A Senior Analyst from the Indonesia Strategic and Economic Action\nInstitution (ISEAI) assesses that this case occurred not only due to the\n\u2018naughty\u2019 factor of the bank employee but also because of the public\u2019s\nlow financial literacy.<\/p>\n
To that end, he provides tips for the public to avoid the modus\noperandi of bank rogue elements. First, do not carelessly hand over\ncontrol of funds to others, even if they are bank employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe basic principle is simple but often ignored, namely never hand\nover full control of funds, even to parties that appear credible,\u201d he\ntold Kompas.com on Monday (20\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
He also emphasised the importance of implementing dual control in any\nfinancial transactions. This means that every transaction, especially\nlarge ones, should be known and verified by more than one party.<\/p>\n
The public is also advised to gain direct access to accounts via\nofficial mobile banking or internet banking, activate real-time\ntransaction notifications, and regularly reconcile internal records with\naccount statements.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is an unusual transaction pattern, for example, gradual\nfund transfers to unknown accounts, that is clearly not a minor anomaly,\nbut an early warning that must be addressed immediately,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a banking observer and Senior Vice President of the\nIndonesian Banking Development Institute (LPPI), Trioksa Siahaan,\nemphasised the importance of being critical towards every banking\nproduct offer, especially those with unreasonably high interest\nrates.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not hesitate to confirm with the bank\u2019s call centre regarding the\noffered product, especially those that seem unreasonable, such as\npromises of high interest,\u201d Trioksa told Kompas.com on Monday.<\/p>\n
In addition, the public is urged to refuse if asked or directed by\nbank employees to conduct financial transactions outside the branch\noffice, as it is vulnerable to not being recorded in the bank\u2019s\nsystem.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed, if we look at it, the prospective customer is lured with a\ndeposit. But even for deposits, the prospective customer should come\ndirectly to the branch office or head office to get a further\nexplanation. Usually, when we want to make a deposit, we first go to the\nbranch office, then meet with bank employees, and only after that\ndeposit the funds, right? That\u2019s the banking procedure. Apparently, this\nwas not the case,\u201d explained Ibrahim to Kompas.com on Monday.<\/p>\n
Ibrahim also urged the public to periodically check at the bank\nbranch or head office to directly ensure that the conducted transactions\nare recorded in the bank\u2019s system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis must be done carefully; do not be too trusting of friends or\nrogue elements who are close. Because once the money has changed hands,\nit\u2019s extremely difficult to recover, and that will cause its own\ncommotion,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/avoid-naughty-schemes-by-bank-employees-gradual-fund-transfers-to-other-accounts-as-early-warning-1776685861", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }