The DEFINITE Task Force Is Expected To Protect Residents From Bodong Investment Traps In Riau Islands

JAKARTA - The Task Force for Combating Illegal Financial Activities (Satgas PASTI) which has just been formed in the Riau Islands (Kepri) area can protect the public from illegal financial entanglement.

Governor of the Riau Islands (Kepri) Ansar Ahmad emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration to eradicate illegal financial practices that are increasingly rampant, such as illegal online loans, fraudulent investments, and financial fraud must be stopped together.

"The gap between literacy and financial inclusion is still a gap for irresponsible persons to carry out illegal financial activities," he said, quoting Antara.

Therefore, he invites all stakeholders who are part of the PASTI Task Force to create a financial system that is safe, inclusive, and welfare for the community.

In addition, he appealed to the DEFINITE Task Force in carrying out its duties not only reactive, but also educational and preventive.

"The task force is not only to take action, but also to prevent through thorough education to the public in order to avoid illegal financial entanglement," he said.

The DEFINITE Task Force was formed based on the Decree of the Head of the Unlicensed Business Activity Handling Task Force in the Financial Sector Number KEP-2/SPASTI/2024.

In that decision, the Head of the Riau Islands Financial Services Authority (OJK) was assigned as the head of the regional task force, then the Director of Economic and Special Crimes of the Riau Islands Police served as deputy chairman, while the position of secretariat was filled by OJK officials who oversee the behavior of financial services, education and consumer protection business actors.

Governor Ansar directly confirmed the Riau Islands Provincial Security Task Force at Wan Seri Beni Hall, Dompak, Thursday (26/5).

Sinar Danandjaya as the Head of the PASTI Task Force said that the formation of this task force was a concrete form of OJK in protecting the public from illegal financial risks.

Collaboration with local governments and law enforcement officials is the main key so that this task force is effective.

"We will take a preventive approach through public education," he said, who is also the Head of the Riau Islands OJK.

He explained that the PASTI Task Force has the task of preventing and handling business activities without a permit or illegal, such as online loans or loans.

He also revealed that during the period January to June 2025, the Riau Islands OJK had received around 80 public complaints regarding illegal financial activities.

In addition, there are also 10 thousand illegal lending entities throughout Indonesia that have disturbed the public in recent years.

His party has provided chatbot services and complaint platforms such as OJK OHSC, which makes it easier for people to report modes of financial crime, including scams, phishing, and wrong account transfers.

"If found guilty, the perpetrator's account can be blocked and the victim's funds will be sought to be returned," he said.