Surge in Online Fraud Prompts Trade Ministry to Review E-Commerce Regulations

Jakarta — Trade Minister Budi Santoso has stated that the government will conduct a comprehensive review of regulations governing electronic commerce systems (PMSE) to strengthen oversight of online transactions and protect consumers. This announcement was made at Rawasari Market in Jakarta on Monday 16 March 2026, in response to mounting reports of alleged fraud in goods purchases through social media, including cases where sellers using verified blue-tick accounts failed to deliver goods after payment was received.

According to Budi, the Ministry of Trade is currently reviewing regulations related to digital trading activities, including revisions to ministerial regulations pertaining to e-commerce.

“We are currently refining the ministerial regulations concerning e-commerce. We will review and evaluate them together with other ministries, agencies, and business actors,” said Budi.

He explained that the evaluation aims to ensure that the surveillance system for online commerce operates more effectively, given the increasing volume of buying and selling activities through digital platforms.

Beyond regulatory review, Budi emphasised that the government continues to monitor trading practices and will follow up on various public complaints regarding alleged online transaction fraud. Such oversight is conducted through the Directorate for Consumer Protection and Trading Order, which handles numerous consumer complaints.

“So we continue to handle complaints, and we carry out such work at PKTN,” said Budi.

Regulations governing digital commerce are contained in Trade Ministry Regulation Number 31 of 2023 concerning business licensing, advertising, development, and oversight of business actors in electronic commerce systems.

As part of this review, one option being discussed is establishing measures to give UMKM products greater space and priority on digital platforms.