Bareskrim Hunts For Fugitives In Deepfake Cases That Catut Prabowo-Gibran

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police said that the case of deepfake fraud using artificial intelligence or AI technology was masterminded by a syndicate. Currently, investigators are hunting down other perpetrators who have been designated as fugitives.

"The suspect (AMA) does not work alone, this activity is a syndicate, where the suspect is assisted by a person with the initials FA, which we have currently placed as a DPO," said the Director of Cyber Crime at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, to reporters, Thursday, January 23.

From a temporary investigation, the FA plays a role in preparing deepfake videos. This means that this fugitive edits or changes videos using AI technology according to the wishes of his group.

In addition, Himawan also said that it was possible that there were other perpetrators outside AMA and FA. This is because it is believed that some of the syndicates are tasked with publishing videos and preparing holding accounts.

"But it does not rule out the same role as the current suspect. Because there are those who create, there are those whose duties are marketing, publishing, there are those whose duties are to prepare accounts," he said.

Based on identification, dozens of people have been deceived. They have sent a sum of money to the suspect, whose nominal value is Rp. 250 thousand to Rp. 1 million.

"Investigators have identified 11 people who were victims of the crime of this suspect and the victims came from various regions including Central Java, East Java, South Sumatra, Southeast Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi," said Himawan.

Meanwhile, this deepfake fraud syndicate took the names of state officials, ranging from President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to members of the Red-White cabinet.

The perpetrators changed or edited Prabowo and Gibran's photos and videos into video recordings as if the current government was offering assistance to people who were in trouble.

However, to get this assistance, the public or victims must first deposit some money.