Indonesian Deepfake Scams: How Fraudsters Exploit AI to Imitate President Prabowo

In recent weeks, authorities in Indonesia have been grappling with a sophisticated scam that uses deepfake technology to impersonate high-ranking figures, including President Prabowo Subianto. The scam, which has affected citizens across 20 provinces, uses artificially generated videos that mimic the appearance and speech of well-known leaders, luring unsuspecting victims into surrendering money for non-existent governmental aid.

The Scam Unfolded

A deepfake video featuring President Prabowo in traditional Indonesian attire was posted on social media. In this clip, the president appears to speak directly to the people, asking:

"Who hasn't received aid from me? What are your needs right now?"

However, the video is nothing but a digital forgery. Once viewers are enticed by the promise of assistance, they are instructed to contact a WhatsApp number and pay an "administrative fee" ranging from 250,000 to 1,000,000 rupiah (approximately US$15 to US$60) for aid that never arrives.

A Widespread Problem

Investigations by AFP and local police have revealed a network of accounts posting similar deepfake videos. The fraudulent schemes not only featured President Prabowo but also impersonated other high-profile figures such as Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Some notable points include:

• Multiple Platforms: Deepfake videos have proliferated across social media platforms, with TikTok and Facebook in the crosshairs. TikTok has already removed several videos for violating community guidelines against misleading content.
• Massive Reach: One TikTok account posted over 100 deepfake videos since January, garnering millions of views by portraying the president as a benefactor dispensing cash.
• Law Enforcement Action: Authorities have arrested suspects involved in these scams, including a suspect who reportedly pocketed 65 million rupiah. This legal crackdown, however, barely scratches the surface of a much larger problem.

The Growing Threat of Deepfakes

The accessibility of advanced AI tools has made it easier for scammers to produce and distribute deepfakes that are practically indistinguishable from genuine footage. Experts have cautioned that these scams are not isolated incidents. The evolving sophistication of deepfake technology means that entirely realistic imitations—sometimes using the voices and gestures of public figures—are becoming more common.

A 56-year-old victim, Aryani, recounted her experience: "I saw a deepfake video of a prominent businessman, and before I knew it, I was persuaded to send money. The scammers even set up video calls to convince me that everything was real."

The Broader Implications

During the last presidential campaign, deepfakes were exploited for political misinformation, both in support of and against candidates. Now, with the technology falling into criminal hands, the focus has shifted to fraudulent financial schemes. Experts warn that the trend could expand to include imitations of international figures, citing instances where tech magnate Elon Musk and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have been impersonated in similar scams.

Aribowo Sasmito, co-founder of the Indonesian fact-checking organization Mafindo, commented, "The quality of these videos is improving every week, making them harder to distinguish from the real thing. Our challenge is to keep up with the volume and sophistication of these scams."

Despite law enforcement efforts, the prevalence of these deceptive techniques continues to erode public trust. As authorities and fact-checking organizations work tirelessly to debunk and remove misleading content, the call to the public is clear: vigilance and caution are now more critical than ever in the digital age.

This article illustrates how rapidly evolving AI technologies are being weaponized by criminals, highlighting both the technological and societal challenges posed by deepfake scams.