Bekasi Noodle Seller's Tale: Pays Influencer Endorsement Fee, But Left "Hanging"

BEKASI – Amid growing allegations of promotional collaboration fraud by an influencer identified as PB or PS, one UMKM operator has fallen victim to exploitation.

After paying an endorsement fee, the promised promotional content failed to appear according to the agreed terms.

Anggi Pamungkas, 26, an owner of a noodle and meatball stall in Karangbahagia District, Bekasi Regency, claims to have been defrauded in a promotional collaboration worth one million rupiah.

“Because the economy was difficult and competition was fierce, our warung had to close for three months. Finally, we reopened at the end of January 2026,” said Anggi when met by Kompas.com at his warung on Saturday (28/2/2026).

Learning from his experience, he recognised that insufficient promotion was one of the reasons his business had struggled.

“I already learnt why our business became quiet. That’s why I hired an influencer so people would know about us,” he said.

He chose PS because they were believed to have many followers in the Cikarang area and surrounding region.

“They have most of their followers here anyway. So I wanted people to know there’s a new noodle and meatball stall here,” he explained.

In initial communication, PS quoted a promotional rate of 15 million rupiah. Anggi was shocked and considered cancelling the collaboration.

“Since I’d already contacted them, I just made small talk. ‘Do you have a rate for UMKMs?’” said Anggi.

The rate then dropped to 5 million rupiah, and subsequently to 3 million rupiah. Anggi stated that his budget could only stretch to one million rupiah.

“I already told them my budget was 1 million, anything beyond that we couldn’t afford,” he explained.

After negotiation, PS was reported to have agreed to the terms.