Deepfake Syndicate In Action Since 2020, Prabowo-Gibran Catut To Public Figures

Release Of Bareskrim Polri/PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

The deepfake fraud syndicate that profited President and Vice President Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka has been in action since four years ago. The perpetrators made tens of millions of profits in recent months.

"The suspect admitted that he had carried out the fraud activity since 2020," said the Director of Cyber Crime at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, to reporters, Thursday, January 23.

Based on the testimony of the suspect AMA, in carrying out his actions, this syndicate not only took state officials. But also public figures.

However, it was not conveyed in detail the names of the public figures who had been used by the deepfake syndicate.

"The content that was distributed was in the form of deepfake videos of state officials and a number of well-known public figures in Indonesia," he said.

Still referring to the suspect's statement, the profits obtained in launching the fraud reached Rp. 30 million. This value is a calculation in the last few months.

"With a total profit of approximately Rp. 30 million over the last 4 months," said Himawan.

The amount of profit was obtained because the victims were asked to pay registration money or others ranging from Rp. 250 thousand to Rp. 1 million.

So far, there have been 11 people who have become victims. They come from several areas. So, by comparing the value of the profit obtained by the suspect, investigators suspect that there are still many other victims.

"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.