inp.polri.go.id - Makassar. The Unit I Cyber Crime Sub-Directorate V of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the South Sulawesi Regional Police has dismantled an online fraud network, known as "Passobis," by arresting six suspects in Parepare City.
"The six perpetrators were arrested in Maspul Alley, Ujung Baru, Soreang District, Parepare. This online fraud operation was uncovered following public reports, which led to the implementation of cyber patrols," said Head of Sub-Directorate V of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the South Sulawesi Regional Police, Superintendent Jan Manto Hasiholan, in Makassar on Friday (8/28/2026).
The uncovering of the Pasobbis network on Wednesday (8/26/2025) followed an in-depth investigation by the Cyber Sub-Directorate V Unit. The suspects were apprehended along with evidence in the form of 11 mobile phones suspected of being used in the online fraud.
The perpetrators' confessions after being apprehended confirmed that they had committed online fraud through social media, specifically selling various brands of mobile phones. They created advertising posts in Facebook markets and included a contact number.
Typically, potential victims were attracted by the low price offered and immediately contacted the number listed in the social media post after agreeing on a price.
After they lured their victims, they asked the victims to transfer the money. The perpetrators then redirected them to another network, claiming to be a shipping service or customs agency, to convince them that the goods would be shipped immediately.
This network advertised iPhone buy-sell posts in Facebook groups and distributed promotional links outside of South Sulawesi, such as iPhone buy-sell groups in East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Bengkulu, Tangerang, Pekanbaru, Surabaya, Malang, and iPhone buy-sell groups in Depok.
"The posts included the suspect's WhatsApp number. After the victims contacted him, they were sent photos and videos of an iPhone 13. After paying, they were directed to a WhatsApp number claiming to be from JNT and Customs, to increase the victims' losses," he said.
The six perpetrators, identified as MF, A, MAF, M, RZ, and MN, are currently at the South Sulawesi Regional Police's Special Criminal Investigation Directorate office to undergo further legal proceedings to develop the case, uncovering the possibility of other victims and other parties involved.
The perpetrators are suspected of violating Article 45A paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning the Second Amendment to Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE).
Jan urged the public to remain vigilant and not be easily deceived by branded cellphones offered at lower prices than the original price, especially those marketed on social media platforms with unclear accountability.
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