New Dracin Fraud Modus: Part-Time Work and Copyright
The Task Force for the Eradication of Illegal Financial Activities (Satgas PASTI) has uncovered a new fraud modus targeting fans of Chinese dramas (dracin). Perpetrators offer part-time work or content copyright purchase schemes that promise bonuses and profits based on the number of views. The public is urged not to be easily tempted by offers of instant profits that exploit interest in popular entertainment.
The mechanism described by Hudiyanto, Secretariat of Satgas PASTI, shows a classic pattern of illegal investment. The initial deposit of funds is ostensibly only for watching, but is then linked to claims of passive income from copyright ownership. This is a form of modus that exploits popular culture trends as bait, similar to a Ponzi scheme that promises unreasonable returns without clear risk.
The difference is that the target is now more specific — the Chinese drama fan community that is active in digital spaces and often seeks side-job opportunities. The impact of this fraud is not only felt by victims who lose money. The reputation of the creative economy and legitimate digital platforms is also tarnished because fraudsters often claim to be working with certain parties. Public trust in online transactions and legal investment opportunities is at risk of being eroded, thereby hampering the growth of the digital economy, which has been one of the pillars of consumption. For business actors, this serves as a reminder to be stricter in verifying business partners and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
This is not merely a consumer warning, but a signal that Indonesia’s digital economy ecosystem is increasingly vulnerable to being exploited for financial crime. The rise of this modus could push regulators to tighten oversight of creative content-based investment schemes, which could potentially affect the room for manoeuvre of startups and legal platforms operating in similar areas.
Streaming platforms and digital content providers risk reputational damage if fraudsters claim to be associated with their services — validation and cybersecurity costs also need to be increased. MSMEs or freelancers targeted as victims need to improve financial literacy, as fake part-time job modus could lead to broader personal data leaks. In the next 3-6 months, if complaints increase, Satgas PASTI is likely to tighten regulations on content-based investment offers, which will impact compliance for legitimate businesses.
What needs to be monitored: official announcements from Satgas PASTI regarding the handling of this case — whether there is enforcement action against perpetrators or merely an appeal, which indicates the level of seriousness of enforcement. Risks to watch: the expansion of similar modus to other fandoms (music, gaming, anime) — if not prevented, this scheme could become an epidemic of trend-based illegal investment. Important signals: public complaint reports and cooperation between digital platforms and authorities — if platforms actively block fraudulent content, it signals that the ecosystem is maintaining its integrity.