Task Force PASTI Blocks 173 Illegal Loans

The Task Force for Eradicating Illegal Financial Activities or the PASTI Task Force (formerly the Investment Alert Task Force) for the period September and October 2023 blocked 173 illegal online loan entities (pinjol) spread across a number of websites and applications.

"The PATI Task Force also found 129 content related to personal loans (pinpri) that could potentially violate the provisions for the distribution of personal data," said the Secretariat of the Task Force for the Eradication of Illegal Financial Activities, Hudiyanto, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, November 15.

He said, in addition to blocking illegal lending entities and personal loans (pinpri), the PASTI Task Force also blocked account numbers, virtual account numbers and phone numbers and whatsApp suspected perpetrators, to further protect the public.

Based on OJK data, it is known that from 2017 to October 31, 2023, the Task Force has suspended 7,502 illegal financial entities consisting of 1,196 illegal investment entities, 6,055 illegal/principal online loan entities, and 251 illegal pawn entities.

Hudiyanto said the PASTI Task Force reminded the public to be careful, alert and not use illegal online loans or personal loans because they have the potential to harm the public, including the risk of misuse of personal data from borrowers.

The PASTI Task Force consists of 14 parties from the authorities, ministries, and related institutions which are coordination forums to carry out the mandate of Law Number 4 of 2023 concerning the Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector (UU P2SK).

The PASTI Task Force is tasked with preventing and handling business activities without permission in the financial sector. Based on the provisions of the P2SK Law, it is stated that in the context of carrying out OJK's supervisory duties, it is authorized to order banks to block certain accounts.

The PASTI Task Force has found 47 bank accounts or virtual accounts reported related to illegal online loan activities.

"The PASTI Task Force has submitted a blocking to the bank supervisory work unit at the OJK to then order the relevant banks to block it. This effort is needed to further suppress the development of illegal online loans in Indonesia," explained Hudiyanto.

In addition to blocking bank accounts or virtual accounts, the PASTI Task Force also found the billing number and whatsapp (debt collectors) related to illegal online loans reported to have threatened, intimidated or other actions that contradicted the provisions.

Following up on this, the DEFINITE Task Force has submitted a blocking of 362 phone numbers and whatsapps to the Ministry of Communication and Information.

The PASTI Task Force expects people who find investment offers or suspicious or suspected illegal online loans to report them to OJK contacts with telephone numbers 157, WA (081157157157), email: consumers @ojk.go.id or email: be aware of investing @ojk.go.id.