PASTI Task Force Halts Illegal Operations of Universal Peak and BAFI Group
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Illegal Financial Activities Eradication Task Force (Satgas PASTI) has halted the business activities of Universal Peak, which is suspected of conducting fraud through a stock investment scheme, and BAFI Group Indonesia, which offered unauthorised services for resolving online loan (pinjol) and credit card issues.
Satgas PASTI has also blocked access to related applications and/or URLs, alongside the cessation of these business activities.
“Satgas PAIMS will also coordinate with law enforcement agencies for further enforcement processes,” said the Chairman of the Satgas PASTI Secretariat, Hudiyanto, in an official statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Satgas PASTI has urged members of the public who feel aggrieved to immediately report to local law enforcement to expedite the handling process.
Universal Peak claims to be part of the Universal Peak Investment Inc. entity, which is purportedly licensed in Colorado. Satgas PASTI stated that Universal Peak is suspected of committing fraud using an investment scheme involving deposits for stock investments and Initial Public Offering (IPO) shares to generate profits. Universal Peak allegedly distributed fictitious IPO share purchase allocations randomly to its members.
Based on clarification and verification results, Satugas PASTI stated that Universal Peak does not possess a licence from the Financial Services Authority (OJK). Furthermore, Universal Peak’s business activities do not comply with the permits issued by the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM. The applications or websites used are also not registered as Electronic System Providers (PSE) with the Ministry of Communication and Digital.
Meanwhile, BAFI Group Indonesia offered consultancy services for online loan (pinjol) issues. One of the schemes offered involved applying for new loans on other platforms using the victims’ personal data, whilst directing victims to intentionally default on their current payments first. Subsequently, BAFI Group Indonesia promised to manage and settle debts for all online loans in exchange for a fee taken from a portion of the disbursed loan funds.
In its publications, BAFI Group Indonesia claimed to be licensed and registered with the OJK. However, following clarification and verification, it was found that BAFI Group Indonesia holds no licence from the OJK or other relevant regulators. BAFI Group Indonesia’s business activities also do not align with the permits issued by the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM.
Satgas PASTI has once again reminded the public to remain vigilant against various investment offers promising unnaturally high returns, particularly those claiming to represent foreign companies. The public is also advised to be wary of services offering online loan settlements that direct consumers to take out new loans or intentionally default on payments.
Furthermore, the public is urged not to easily trust the use of logos or claims of being licensed by the OJK or other agencies without conducting prior verification. If similar indications of illegal investment or illegal online loan offers are found, the public can report them via the SIPASTI website at sipasti.ojk.go.id, or through the OJK Contact 157, WhatsApp 081157157157, and email konsumen@ojk.go.id.
Members of the public who have become victims of financial transaction fraud can report it through the Indonesia Anti-Scam Centre (IASC) at iasc.ojk.go.id to support efforts for the rapid blocking of perpetrators’ accounts and to increase the chances of fund recovery for victims.