565 Online Fraud Cases In Southeast Sulawesi Dominated By Cyber Crime

The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Dit Reskrimsus) of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police (Polda) said cybercrime in the Bumi Anoa region was dominated by online fraud which reached 280 cases.

Head of Sub-Directorate V Cyber Crime Dit Reskrimsus Polda Sultra AKBP Dicky Hendra Wijaya said his party recorded a significant trend in cases in handling cyber crime in the last 5 years.

"Based on annual data, online fraud and defamation are the most dominant types of reports from the public," said Dicky Hendra as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, November 23.

In 2021, the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Police recorded online fraud and defamation that there were only 265 cases.

Then this number shows an almost double increase in 2025, which is 513 cases for the January-October period.

"From the report, online fraud cases are the main driver of this spike. In 2021 there were 77 cases of online fraud, then it jumped to 259 cases in 2024, and reached 280 cases until October 2025," he said.

Meanwhile, for other cyber cases, there were also cases of defamation, which in 2021 there were 143 reports, up to 193 reports for the January-October 2025 period.

"So are the threatening cases that experienced a sharp spike to 40 reports in 2025, compared to the average 13-19 cases in previous years," he explained.

Dicky Hendra explained that the increase in cases showed the high activity of people in the digital space and increased public awareness to report.

Every year, the pattern of cybercrime is growing. Online fraud is the most dominant case because the methods of perpetrators are increasingly diverse and targeting all groups. We urge the public to be more careful in transacting in the digital space," he explained.

He emphasized that his party continues to carry out cyber patrols and education. He said defamation and the spread of SARA issues were still a serious concern because they had the potential to trigger social conflict.

"We encourage all social media users to be wiser, not spread hate speech, and ensure that the information shared is true. We want the Southeast Sulawesi digital space to remain safe and conducive," said Dicky Hendra.

He added, with the increasing number of cases, the Cyber Sub-Directorate of the Southeast Sulawesi Police is committed to strengthening efforts to prevent and enforce the law in order to maintain cyber security in Southeast Sulawesi.