OJK Records 99,347 Digital Financial Scam Reports in East Java

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) – The Financial Services Authority (OJK) recorded 99,347 reports of digital financial scams from East Java between 22 November 2024 and 30 September 2026, placing the province third nationally, behind West Java and Jakarta.

Acting Head of the East Java OJK office Horas VM Tarihoran said the high number of reports was a concern amid efforts to expand public access to formal financial services by improving financial literacy and inclusion.

“Expanding access to finance must be accompanied by stronger consumer protection, so that people not only find it easier to use financial services, but also understand the risks and are protected from various forms of financial crime,” he said at a media briefing in Surabaya on Wednesday.

According to data from the Indonesia Anti-Scam Centre (IASC), most scam reports in East Java came from Surabaya, Sidoarjo and Malang city.

Nationally, the Task Force for the Eradication of Illegal Financial Activities (PASTI) has shut down 1,222 illegal entities: 951 illegal online lenders, 242 illegal investment offers, 27 illegal private pawnshops and two other illegal operations.

The OJK, PASTI task force members, banks and payment system providers are continuing to strengthen the IASC to speed up the tracing and blocking of accounts used in fraud.

Horas urged people who fall victim to financial scams to report them promptly through the IASC’s official channels so that accounts can be traced and blocked more quickly.