Police Data: 5-10 Balikpapan Residents Become Victims Of Fraud In A Day

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH/Andrej Lišakov

BALIKPAPAN - Balikpapan Police, East Kalimantan, received 5-10 fraud complaints in a day in early 2023, some of which were online fraud involving electronic transactions.

"It seems that it is too easy for our people to give OTP (one-time password) codes, with the lure of shopping at low prices and so on," said Deputy Chief of Balikpapan Police AKBP Sepbril Sesa as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, February 19.

Requesting an OTP code is the latest mode that has victimized many Balikpapan residents, even though this mode is not new at all.

Next is the old mode that is still used by perpetrators by pretending that goods purchased online are hampered by delivery, so that potential victims are asked to pay a certain amount of money. However, after the money was sent, the seller disappeared and could not be contacted again.

“That happens very often. This is what we remind all citizens not to believe easily, yes, you have to check properly," said Sepbril.

Even if you do have to shop online, the police ask that you choose sellers carefully. Then pay attention to other buyers' comments on online stores or goods sold, and do not communicate outside of the features provided by the shopping site.

AKBP Sebbril also reminded the public to be critical of offers that are too low in cost from the market price.

“The point is, don't easily share data, don't easily click on unclear links. Because there are several new modes by sharing links. It turns out that the link carries a kind of program to hack our data," said the Deputy Chief of Police.

The data in question also includes ATM pin numbers or credit card OTPs, to email passwords.

The Deputy Chief of Balikpapan Police said that people now do not easily believe. Must be more critical, so as not to become a victim of fraud. Because various methods are used by the perpetrator to deceive the victim.