Binary Option Scams Rise, Speaker Of DPR Asks For Illegal Investment Cases To Be Specially Handled

Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. (ANTARA/HO-PDIP)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, has asked that the increasingly massive illegal investment in Indonesia be brought to the attention of law enforcement. He hopes that illegal investment cases are handled specifically.

“Illegal investment cases have become more massive, so it must be a serious concern between the government, the DPR, law enforcement officers, and other relevant agencies to stop them. Especially against fraudulent practices with digital investment modes," said Puan in a written statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, April 6.

In the latest report from the Center for Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis (PPATK), the value of illegal investment transactions has reached IDR 35 trillion. Puan assessed that if there is no serious intervention, then illegal investment will continue to mushroom in Indonesia.

“Moreover, the increase in reports of illegal investment moves in a relatively short time. There must be special efforts to deal with illegal investment practices," said Puan, as reported by Antara.

According to him, various reports of illegal investment transactions that are known to be quite diverse include asset purchase transactions, suspicious financial transactions, cash financial transactions, and remittances to and from overseas. The number of victims of illegal investments is not small.

"We all know that recently there have been many frauds under the pretext of binary options involving influencers. Practices like this happen because there are no “rigid” regulations in Indonesia,” said Puan.

Puan pushed for a clearer legal umbrella regarding investment in the digital world. That way, he said, the public would be better protected from fraudulent investment practices.

"Technology developments allow new types of fraud to occur and the state must be present as a facilitator to protect people who want to make digital investments," said Puan.

Puan assessed that it was important to intensify digital financial literacy programs for the community. "The DPR encourages the government to take preventive measures to minimize the occurrence of illegal investment practices," he said.