Indonesian Police and FBI Uncover Global Fraud Case with Losses of Rp343 Billion
Bareskrim Polri, in collaboration with the FBI, has dismantled a global fraud network resulting in losses of US$20 million, equivalent to approximately Rp343.060.000.000 at today’s exchange rate.
In its statement, the FBI noted that the joint operation was conducted with the Directorate of Cybercrime at Bareskrim Polri.
The FBI described the fraud network as enabling perpetrators to steal thousands of important credentials from victims.
“And to carry out fraud attempts worth more than $20 million,” the FBI stated in its official release on Wednesday (15/4).
Separately confirmed, Assistant Director I of the Cybercrime Directorate at Bareskrim Polri, Commissioner Rizki Agung Prakoso, verified the cooperation.
However, he has not yet disclosed details of the fraud case, including the modus operandi and the arrested perpetrators.
“We will update for the release later,” he said.
Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations Division at Polri, Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir, explained that the case’s uncovering began with routine cyber patrols by investigators on suspicious websites.
From those findings, he said, investigators from the Cybercrime Directorate at Bareskrim Polri discovered the platform w3llstore.com, which was linked to the distribution of tools via Telegram bots suspected of selling phishing scripts.
“The tools obtained (from the site) have been proven usable for phishing actions, including stealing credentials and taking over victims’ accounts,” he stated.
He explained that the tool works by siphoning victims’ data when they enter usernames and passwords. The tool, he added, is even capable of capturing login sessions, allowing perpetrators to access accounts without needing OTP codes.
In the process, Isir said Bareskrim then collaborated with the FBI to identify victims in the United States and trace the network of tool users.
The result identified suspect GWL, who acted as the creator and manager of the tools and distribution channels, as well as suspect FYTP, who handled the flow of crime proceeds through cryptocurrency and bank accounts.
“The transaction modus has shifted from websites to Telegram with cryptocurrency-based payments,” he clarified.
Isir added that from the investigation results, phishing victims came not only from within the country but also abroad. The two suspects were subsequently arrested by investigators in the Kupang area, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday (9/4).
In the arrests, investigators also seized assets worth approximately Rp4.5 billion, including houses, vehicles, and electronic goods.
“Meanwhile, from transaction tracing since 2021 to 2026, the two suspects are estimated to have reaped profits up to Rp25 billion,” he said.
Currently, investigators are continuing to develop the case to trace other involved parties, including buyers and users of the phishing tools.
“This success also strengthens global trust in Indonesia in maintaining the stability and security of the international digital ecosystem,” he stated.