Metro Jaya Police Bust Credit Card Fraud Case Using SMS Blast Method
The Cyber Crime Directorate (Ditressiber) of the Metro Jaya Regional Police has uncovered a credit card fraud case utilising an SMS blast method. Five perpetrators were arrested in connection with the case.
AKBP Grawas Sugiharto, Head of Sub-directorate IV of the Metro Jaya Police Cyber Crime Directorate, explained that the investigation began following reports from three victims who received promotional SMS messages impersonating banks and e-commerce platforms. These messages contained links directing victims to fraudulent websites designed to mimic legitimate banking and e-commerce sites.
“In those SMS messages, there were links that directed users to fake websites that resembled the original sites,” Grawas explained during a press conference at the Metro Jaya Police Public Relations Building, South Jakarta, on Friday (2/10/2026).
Grawas stated that the fraudulent SMS messages were sent by the perpetrators using blasting equipment known as a ‘fake BTS’. He noted that this fake BTS operates much like a real Base Transceiver Station, despite being an unauthorised shadow station.
“The suspects distributed these phishing links using blasting tools or fake BTS equipment. This fake BTS simulates the GSM frequency spectrum to mobile phones in the vicinity, allowing it to operate like a real BTS even though it is a shadow or fake station,” Grawas elaborated.
He added that the police immediately conducted a series of investigations. Ultimately, on 31 July 2026, a vehicle suspected of being involved in the fraudulent SMS scheme was identified.
“The team conducted an investigation and found a silver car with plate number B-2755-XXX, which was suspected of driving slowly and frequently travelling back and forth along the routes previously mentioned,” Grawas explained.
“Based on that, the team conducted a search and subsequently discovered the fake BTS equipment being operated by an individual identified as GM, who served as the driver.”
Grawas stated that upon being apprehended, GM admitted to working under the orders of an individual with the initials NL. Investigators then deepened their probe into the role of NL, who was responsible for sourcing vehicles and drivers.
“Following information from NL, we expanded our investigation and subsequently arrested AGW. It was AGW who was responsible for paying both NL and GM,” he said.
From AGW, investigators identified two other suspects: JYI, the technician responsible for installing the fake BTS equipment into the vehicle, and AD, who managed the content and volume of the SMS messages to be blasted by GM.
Grawas explained that the police seized several pieces of evidence, including one vehicle and the fake BTS equipment components, consisting of a battery, amplifier, power supply, and the fake BTS unit itself. Additionally, five mobile phones, bank passbooks, and ATMs used for the operations of this fake BTS scheme were also confiscated.
“We are continuing to develop this case and will further investigate the connections and roles of other potential suspects,” Garswas concluded.