Avoid Naughty Schemes by Bank Employees: Gradual Fund Transfers to Other Accounts as Early Warning
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The case of embezzlement of Rp 28 billion from the Catholic Parish Church of Aek Nabara in North Sumatra by a rogue bank employee serves as a harsh reminder to the public not to be complacent in financial transactions.
A Senior Analyst from the Indonesia Strategic and Economic Action Institution (ISEAI) assesses that this case occurred not only due to the ‘naughty’ factor of the bank employee but also because of the public’s low financial literacy.
To that end, he provides tips for the public to avoid the modus operandi of bank rogue elements. First, do not carelessly hand over control of funds to others, even if they are bank employees.
“The basic principle is simple but often ignored, namely never hand over full control of funds, even to parties that appear credible,” he told Kompas.com on Monday (20/4/2026).
He also emphasised the importance of implementing dual control in any financial transactions. This means that every transaction, especially large ones, should be known and verified by more than one party.
The public is also advised to gain direct access to accounts via official mobile banking or internet banking, activate real-time transaction notifications, and regularly reconcile internal records with account statements.
“If there is an unusual transaction pattern, for example, gradual fund transfers to unknown accounts, that is clearly not a minor anomaly, but an early warning that must be addressed immediately,” he said.
Meanwhile, a banking observer and Senior Vice President of the Indonesian Banking Development Institute (LPPI), Trioksa Siahaan, emphasised the importance of being critical towards every banking product offer, especially those with unreasonably high interest rates.
“Do not hesitate to confirm with the bank’s call centre regarding the offered product, especially those that seem unreasonable, such as promises of high interest,” Trioksa told Kompas.com on Monday.
In addition, the public is urged to refuse if asked or directed by bank employees to conduct financial transactions outside the branch office, as it is vulnerable to not being recorded in the bank’s system.
“Indeed, if we look at it, the prospective customer is lured with a deposit. But even for deposits, the prospective customer should come directly to the branch office or head office to get a further explanation. Usually, when we want to make a deposit, we first go to the branch office, then meet with bank employees, and only after that deposit the funds, right? That’s the banking procedure. Apparently, this was not the case,” explained Ibrahim to Kompas.com on Monday.
Ibrahim also urged the public to periodically check at the bank branch or head office to directly ensure that the conducted transactions are recorded in the bank’s system.
“This must be done carefully; do not be too trusting of friends or rogue elements who are close. Because once the money has changed hands, it’s extremely difficult to recover, and that will cause its own commotion,” he said.