inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Friderica Widyasari Dewi, Chief Executive of the Financial Services Authority (OJK)'s Supervisory Agency for Financial Services Business Conduct, Education, and Consumer Protection, stated that love, relationship, and romance scams are a growing trend in digital financial crime, occurring globally.

"This is also evident in Indonesia, where a recent incident in Yogyakarta uncovered a syndicate operating internationally," said Friderica on Friday (1/9/2026).

Recently, the police in Yogyakarta uncovered an alleged love scam syndicate operating in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta.

The fraud was uncovered following a sting operation at the PT Altair Trans Service office in Ngaglik District, Sleman Regency, on Monday (1/5/2026).

The scam used an online dating app, a clone of the Chinese app WOW. The company's employees were employed as chat admins, impersonating women to match the victim's or user's country of origin.

They coax app users into buying coins or top-ups to send gifts available within the app. After users send the gift, they then gradually send pornographic photos and videos.

The users are foreign nationals from several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. 

"These scammers target victims in various countries via the internet and apps, so if we look at this type of crime, it represents a very high cross-border risk," said Friderica.

The Task Force for the Eradication of Illegal Financial Activities (Satgas PASTI) continues to urge the public to remain vigilant against various forms of fraud that continue to evolve and innovate, including the love scam.

By the end of 2025, the Indonesia Anti-Scam Center had received 3,494 reports of losses from people falling victim to love scams, totaling IDR 49.19 billion.

Therefore, OJK always urges the public to remain cautious and increase their vigilance regarding various manipulative practices, especially love scams.

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