Indonesian Basketball Association warns public against fraud schemes using basketball development programme as cover

Jakarta — The Central Board of the All-Indonesia Basketball Association (Perbasi) has urged the public to exercise heightened vigilance against various fraud schemes perpetrated under the guise of the organisation and its officials in basketball programme development activities.

Fritz Edward Siregar, Head of the Legal, Ethics and Discipline Board of the Central Board of Perbasi, explained that the warning was issued following reports of individuals impersonating Central Board Chairman Budisatrio Djiwandono in activities seeking monetary contributions under the pretence of player selection, trials, and certain development programmes.

“We invite all elements of society to collectively advance Indonesian basketball for commendable achievement through dignified and correct methods for the nation,” he said in Jakarta on Monday.

Siregar further explained that the organisation regrets such practices and urged the public not to be easily deceived. Perbasi has never issued letters of recommendation or any form of approval for activities claiming to represent Junior Basket Indonesia (JBI), whether for trials or other activities.

Circulars in circulation claiming to originate from the Central Board of Perbasi are confirmed to be invalid and constitute part of a fraudulent scheme.

Additionally, the central board stated that it never levies charges outside the organisation’s formal mechanisms and has not designated any party to conduct private fundraising in the organisation’s name.

He added that the public is urged to always verify the authenticity of information. “We urge the public to always conduct verification through official channels and not make payments to parties that cannot be held accountable,” he said.

The Central Board of Perbasi, he added, also encourages members of the public who feel they have been defrauded to report the matter to law enforcement authorities. The organisation will conduct an internal investigation to maintain public confidence and ensure that the development of the national basketball ecosystem proceeds in accordance with correct procedures.