A New Chapter Of The Ravio Patra Hacking Case

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JAKARTA - Researcher and democracy activist Ravio Patra reported the alleged hacking of his WhatsApp account. This report is the aftermath of a case where he was suspected of spreading fake news.

Ravio's report is registered with the number LP / 2528 / IV / YAN.2.5 / 2020 / SPKT PMJ dated April 27, 2020. However, the report does not include the person reported, because it is still under investigation.

Ravio Patra's legal team member, Era Purnama Sari, said that this report is expected to reveal the mastermind behind the hack and prove that his client was not involved in spreading fake news.

"We are reporting with the hope that the police will immediately process this case so that it is revealed who the hackers are and what their goals are," Era told VOI, Tuesday, April 28.

Era added that this report also attaches some evidence, such as capturing screen calls and communications as long as his cellphone is suspected of being hacked. However, this evidence is only supporting evidence because the core evidence of the case is already with the police.

"Actually, the core evidence is Ravio's cellphone that is already in the police force. But we have attached a lot of supporting evidence," said Era.

In the report, the reported suspect is suspected of hacking or breaking into electronic systems as referred to in Article 30 Paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 46 Paragraph (3) of Law 19/2016 on Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE).

Ravio Patra was arrested for being caught in a case of spreading fake news or hoaxes. This information has also been heard since, Thursday, April 23, morning.

Head of Public Relations of Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Yusri Yunus said that Ravio Patra was arrested by the ranks of the General Criminal Investigation Directorate around Jalan Gelora, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, April 22 evening.

"Indeed, I confirmed last night from the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Metro Jaya Regional Police to secure an RPA official," said Yusri in Jakarta, Thursday, April 23.

However, Yusri chose to be economical in talking about the case that caught Ravio Patra. The reason is that investigators are still investigating the case, including the alleged spread of fake news because Ravio's cellphone has been hacked.

Based on information circulating, Ravio's WhatsApp account was allegedly hacked because when it wanted to be used, the words 'You've registered your number on another phone' appeared. Then, after checking it, it turns out that in the message inbox there is a request for sending an OTP (one time password).

Ravio then reported it to the app's authorities. As a result, WhatsApp, through the Head of Security, stated that there was a breach from that account.

During the hack, Ravio's WhatsApp account spread a message that read, 'The crisis is time to burn! Come together and enliven April 30th, ask for the national looting, simultaneously, all the shops near us are free to loot '.

Regarding the alleged hacking, the police did not say much. "It is still being investigated (about the suspicion of being hacked). If there are any results, we will tell you," said Yusri, adding that investigators were still digging into Ravio's statement.