Indonesians swindled by scams using President Prabowo deepfakes

The Rise of Deepfake Scams in Indonesia: A Growing Threat to Trust

In recent months, Indonesia has faced a wave of sophisticated deepfake scams that have left citizens confused, deceived, and financially drained. These scams, which use artificial intelligence to create realistic audio, images, and videos of prominent figures, have become a major concern for authorities and the public alike. At the center of one such scam is a video purporting to show Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto addressing citizens and promising financial aid. However, the video is entirely fake, and its creators have swindled millions of rupiah from unsuspecting victims across 20 provinces. The scam, uncovered by police in February, highlights the alarming reach and convincing nature of deepfake technology.

How the Scams Operate: A Closer Look

The deepfake scam involving President Prabowo Subianto works by manipulating trust in authority. In the fabricated Instagram video, the president appears to ask citizens about their needs and offers financial assistance. Victims are then instructed to contact a WhatsApp number and pay an "administrative fee" of 250,000 to 1,000,000 rupiah (US$15 to US$60) to receive the aid. However, the promised assistance never materializes, leaving victims financially exploited and emotionally distressed. One victim, 56-year-old Aryani, shared her experience of losing 200,000 rupiah after seeing a deepfake video of a prominent Indonesian businessman. She recounted how the scammers even made video calls, further convincing her of the legitimacy of their claims. "People should be more careful. Don’t be easily fooled by the lure of prizes," she warned.

Deepfake Technology: A Double-Edged Sword

The rise of deepfake scams in Indonesia is closely tied to the growing accessibility of artificial intelligence tools. These tools, which can create highly realistic impersonations of individuals, have become increasingly affordable and user-friendly. While such technology has potential benefits, its misuse by criminals has sparked widespread concern. Fact-checking organizations like Mafindo have reported encountering new deepfake scams weekly, with the quality of these fakes improving over time. Aribowo Sasmito, a co-founder of Mafindo, noted, "The challenge is the volume of these scams. It has become more difficult to distinguish between fake and real videos."

Law Enforcement and the Battle Against Deepfake Scams

Indonesian authorities have taken steps to combat the deepfake menace, but the scale of the problem poses significant challenges. Police have arrested at least two individuals linked to deepfake scams, including Himawan Bayu Aji, who allegedly pocketed 65 million rupiah from the scheme. Despite these arrests, the circulation of deepfake videos remains rampant. AFP fact-checkers found dozens of such videos on TikTok, many of which featured deepfakes of President Prabowo Subianto. One TikTok account with over 77,000 followers garnered 7.5 million views on a fabricated video of the president offering financial assistance. The widespread nature of these scams underscores the need for a coordinated effort to combat them.

The Role of Social Media Platforms in Combating Deepfakes

Social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook have become breeding grounds for deepfake scams, with their algorithms often unintentionally amplifying false content. In response to the growing threat, TikTok has removed some of the scam-related videos and accounts, stating its commitment to enforcing community guidelines that prohibit misleading posts. Similarly, AFP, in partnership with over 100 fact-checking organizations, works to identify and debunk false information on platforms like TikTok and Meta. However, the sheer volume of deepfake content poses a significant challenge, as fact-checkers struggle to keep pace with the rapid spread of such material.

The Broader Implications: A Call for Vigilance and Collaboration

The deepfake scam epidemic in Indonesia is not an isolated incident but part of a global trend. High-profile figures like tech billionaire Elon Musk and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have also been targeted in similar schemes. The increasing sophistication of deepfake technology raises serious concerns about the erosion of trust in public institutions and the potential for widespread financial and emotional harm. To combat this threat, experts emphasize the need for greater public awareness, improved technology to detect deepfakes, and stronger collaboration between law enforcement, fact-checkers, and social media platforms. As the use of deepfake technology continues to evolve, so too must the strategies to combat it, ensuring that trust in legitimate sources is not irreparably damaged.