Indonesia's PASTI Task Force Blocks Snapboost App Over Alleged Fraud

The Illegal Financial Activities Eradication Task Force (Satgas PASTI) has halted the operations of the Snapboost application, which promised users income through liking and sharing content on various social media platforms. In an official statement, the task force stated that the application committed fraud under the guise of a social media monetisation platform, using a Click to Earn (C2E) system. The illegal activity allegedly offered an investment scheme requiring the public to make a deposit to perform tasks such as liking content on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Snapboost promised daily income, bonuses based on membership tiers, commissions for recruiting new members, as well as prizes including motorcycles and cars for members who deposited certain amounts. Based on coordination results, it was found that Snapboost does not possess a legal entity or business licence in Indonesia, and its application or website is not registered as an Electronic System Operator (PSE) with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs. The task force also found indications that the perpetrators periodically changed the URL addresses using different names, while maintaining the same appearance, features, and operational mechanisms, suggesting they are interconnected. Consequently, the task force terminated the activity and blocked access to the application and related links. Satgas PASTI is also coordinating with law enforcement for further legal proceedings. The public is urged to report any losses from this activity to local law enforcement to expedite the handling process, and to remain cautious of investment offers or financial activities promising illogically high returns in a short time, especially those requiring upfront deposits and operating through sites or apps that frequently change addresses but retain similar interfaces, features, and mechanisms.