Circulating Fake No WhatsApp The Deputy Governor Of West Sulawesi Committed Fraud To Offer Assistance

JAKARTA - Acting Head of Sulawesi Province Diskominfo Muhammad Ridwan Djafar revealed that there was a strong suspicion that the WhatsApp number on behalf of the Deputy Governor of West Sulawesi Salim S Mengga committed fraud.

"The report on an account that mandated the Deputy Governor of West Sulawesi circulated today," he said in Mamuju, Tuesday, was confiscated by Antara.

The fake number of the Deputy Governor of West Sulawesi sent a message to a number of residents by offering various forms of assistance to government programs that were not true.

To strengthen his cover, the perpetrator used a profile photo of the Deputy Governor of West Sulawesi as an attempt to deceive and convince potential victims.

In the mode of operation, the perpetrator contacted the victim personally by introducing himself as Deputy Governor of West Sulawesi.

Furthermore, the perpetrator asked for personal data and even promised financial assistance with certain requirements.

A number of residents admitted that they were almost trapped because of a neat and convincing communication pattern.

The West Sulawesi Provincial Government has confirmed that the number does not belong to the Deputy Governor.

"Perjabat negara akan tidak akan pernah meminta data pribadi atau menawarkan bantuan langsung melalui pesan WhatsApp pribadi," ujar Ridwan Djafar.

The West Sulawesi Provincial Government, said Ridwan Djafar, appealed to the public to remain vigilant, and not to easily believe messages coming from unknown numbers claiming to be certain officials, both on behalf of the Governor and Deputy Governor of West Sulawesi.

"If you receive a suspicious message, immediately clarify or report it to the authorities," he said.

Currently, the team from the Deputy Governor of West Sulawesi, he continued, is starting to investigate the origins of the number.

"They also open a complaint room for residents who may receive similar messages to report them," said Ridwan Djafar.

Ridwan Djafar conveyed several steps that could be taken to protect oneself from fraudulent acts, including source verification.

Official government officials, he said, would not suddenly contact via private WhatsApp to offer assistance, let alone ask for personal data or some money.

"Always confirm through official channels, such as government pages or verified office contacts," he said.

The next step is not to share personal data, such as NIK, Family Card (KK), account number or PIN/OTP.

"The data is a valuable asset. Never give it via short messages, telephone, or channels that are not guaranteed security," said Ridwan Djafar.

Then continued Ridwan Djafar, the public was asked to be alert to sudden opportunities.

"Foundering often takes advantage of an urgency, such as limited fund assistance or impromptu programs. If it sounds too good to be true, it's most likely a scam," he said.

Another effort is made to avoid further fraudulent acts, namely by checking account credentials, by paying attention to the sender number, and if not known, report and block:

"If you receive a suspicious message, don't reply and don't click on any link. Immediately block the number and report it to the WhatsApp (report feature) platform and to the authorities," explained Ridwan Djafar.