3,000 Scammer Numbers Impersonating MPs and Officials Blocked

The Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, has revealed that 3,000 mobile numbers used for scam calls—where individuals impersonate members of the House of Representatives (DPR) or public officials to request donations—have been blocked. Speaking at the DPR Building in Senayan, Jakarta, Meutting Hafid noted that these impersonation scams are among the most frequent reports received by the ministry.

In addition to the impersonation cases, the Ministry has blocked over 13,000 other numbers linked to fictitious online investments, online gambling, and fraudulent e-commerce activities. The Minister emphasised that the number of blocked numbers could be even higher if the public proactively reports suspicious numbers, allowing the ministry to coordinate with mobile operators to terminate access.

According to data recorded over the past year, the financial impact of digital fraud has been significant, with losses amounting to Rp 9.1 trillion between November 2024 and the present. Meutya Hafid highlighted that scam calls remain the most dominant form of cybercrime and asserted that the government must actively combat these threats.

To address the rise in mobile-based crimes, the government is refining regulations for SIM card registration. Under the Ministry of Communication and Digital Regulation Number 7 of 2026, SIM card registration must now utilise biometric technology, such as facial recognition. This measure aims to enhance consumer protection and was developed following directives from the President and input from the DPR and the general public.