OJK's DEFINITE Task Force Again Blocks 302 Illegal Loans

JAKARTA - The Task Force for Eradicating Illegal Financial Activities or the Financial Services Authority's DEFINITE Task Force (OJK) has again blocked 173 illegal online loan entities on a number of websites and applications. In addition, the DEFINITE Task Force also found 129 content related to personal loans (pinpri) in the September-October 2023 period.

Meanwhile, all these entities have been blocked by the OJK because they have the potential to violate the provisions for the spread of personal data.

The Secretariat of the Task Force for the Eradication of Illegal Financial Activities, Hudiyanto, said that in addition to blocking illegal lending and borrowing entities, the PASTI Task Force also blocked account numbers, virtual account numbers and phone numbers and whatsapp suspected perpetrators, to further protect the public.

Hudiyanto said that from 2017 to October 31, 2023, the PASTI Task Force had suspended 7,502 illegal financial entities consisting of 1,196 illegal investment entities, 6,055 illegal/private online loan entities, and 251 illegal pawn entities.

Based on the provisions in the P2SK Law, it is stated that in the context of carrying out OJK's supervisory duties, it is authorized to order banks to block certain accounts.

"The PASTI Task Force has found 47 bank accounts or virtual accounts reported related to illegal online loan activities," he explained in his official statement Sunday, November 12.

In this regard, Hudiyanto has submitted a blocking to the bank supervisory work unit in OJK to then order the relevant banks to block it. This effort is needed to further suppress the development of illegal online loans in Indonesia.

In addition to blocking bank accounts or virtual accounts, the PASTI Task Force also found the billing number and whatsapp (debt collectors) related to illegal online loans reported to have threatened, intimidated or other actions that contradicted the provisions.

"Following this, the DEFINITE Task Force has submitted a blocking of 362 telephone numbers and whatsApp to the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Information," he said.

Hudiyanto conveyed the importance of strengthening synergy and collaboration of all stakeholders to eradicate illegal financial activities in the community and provide a deterrent effect for perpetrators as well as strengthening education and socialization about the importance of vigilance against illegal financial activities.