Police Arrest Suspect in Deepfake Scam Targeting President Prabowo

Deepfake Scammers Target Indonesian Leaders

Indonesian authorities have arrested a 28-year-old man named Almandela for orchestrating a sophisticated deepfake scam that targeted prominent political figures, including President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. According to Brigadier General Himawan Bayu Aji, Director of the Cybercrime Directorate at the Indonesian National Police, “The content offered government assistance to people in need.”

Almandela used Instagram,under the username chandra_cchen (Zhang Jiangwu),to spread these fabricated videos. He would entice potential victims with captions that included WhatsApp numbers, promising them government aid if they contacted him.

One of the deepfake videos featured President Prabowo Subianto. In the video, he appears to say, “Please answer honestly, what do you need now? school fees, college fees, business capital, debt repayment, or house renovation. If you need any of the things I mentioned,please contact me immediately,God willing,I will help you on the condition that you don’t use it for extravagance.” This video was carefully crafted using footage from President Subianto’s inauguration ceremony on October 20, 2024.

A fabricated video portraying Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka offered an even more tempting proposition. He says in the video, “Hello everyone, I am gibran Rakabuming Raka, I am the Vice President of Indonesia. With the abundance of blessings that have been given to me, today I share my blessings on this new TikTok account. For anyone who happens to find this post, I will send Rp50 million directly if you have followed and pressed the love and arrow signs. This applies to everyone and everywhere. Please send it provided that it is indeed used with trust for your family,”

The scam involved victims paying administrative fees ranging from Rp250,000 to Rp1 million to receive the promised assistance. Police confirmed that the operation also targeted Finance Minister sri Mulyani, using a deepfake video to lure financial victims. Authorities believe this scheme has been running since 2020.

Another suspect, identified as FA, is currently at large. Almandela was apprehended on January 16, 2024, at his residence in Lampung. The inquiry revealed that Almandela and FA specialized in different aspects of the scam. Almandela focused on creating captions and adding phone numbers for victim outreach, while FA handled video production and editing.

This case highlights the growing threat of deepfake technology and the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect individuals from financial fraud and manipulation.

What can individuals and organizations do to protect themselves from falling victim to deepfake scams?

The Growing Threat of Deepfakes in Indonesia

Deepfakes – the ability to manipulate videos and audio with frightening realism – are no longer a science fiction concept. These artificially smart creations pose a significant and growing threat, especially in Indonesia, where they are increasingly being used in scams targeting both individuals and corporations.

To understand this complex issue, we spoke with Dr. Mauritania Hartono, a cybersecurity expert and adjunct professor at the University of Indonesia.

“It’s alarming,” Dr.Hartono states, “We’ve seen deepfakes used to impersonate prominent figures, such as CEOs and politicians, to defraud individuals and organizations.” the technology allows scammers to create convincing fake voices and likenesses, tricking people into transferring money, revealing sensitive details, or making crucial business decisions through platforms like VoIP services and social media.

Dr. Hartono explains the alarming sophistication behind these deepfakes. “The technology is rapidly evolving,” she says.”With advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, scammers can now create convincing audio and visual content with just a few minutes of source material.” This accessibility, coupled with readily available online guides and tools, makes it surprisingly easy for even low-skilled criminals to create convincing deepfakes.

CEO fraud, also known as ‘whaling,’ is one of the most common tactics employed by deepfake scammers.

“Scammers impersonate high-ranking executives, often via email or instant messaging, to order urgent money transfers or divulge confidential information,” Dr.Hartono explains.Given the rising threat, what can individuals and organizations do to protect themselves? Dr. Hartono emphasizes the importance of awareness and cautious skepticism. “No matter who you think is contacting you, always double-check critically important requests via an self-reliant interaction channel,” she advises.”Cross-verifying information can help you spot anomalies that may indicate a scam.”

The fight against deepfakes requires a multi-pronged approach.Dr.Hartono believes law enforcement needs to prioritize training to stay updated on these rapidly evolving threats. Concurrently, she calls on tech companies to invest in robust detection tools and collaborate with law enforcement to swiftly remove deepfake content and identify perpetrators.

Looking towards the future, Dr. Hartono acknowledges that deepfakes are here to stay. “However, we can mitigate their malicious use,” she states. Research into countermeasures, such as AI-based detectors and ‘watermarking’ tools to verify authenticity, offers hope. “It’s a never-ending arms race,” she cautions, “We must stay vigilant and continuously adapt our defenses, while promoting digital literacy to help people navigate this new threat landscape.”

Navigating the Digital Minefield: A Look at Common Cyber Threats

In today’s hyper-connected world, the digital realm presents both unbelievable opportunities and significant risks. While the internet has revolutionized interaction, commerce, and countless other aspects of our lives, it has also become a breeding ground for cybercriminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain.

Understanding the various types of cyber threats is the first step towards safeguarding yourself and your valuable data. From the insidious nature of malware to the cunning tactics of phishing attacks, the landscape of cybercrime is constantly evolving.

One particularly insidious threat is malware, which encompasses a wide range of malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. This can include viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, and spyware, each with its unique methods of operation.

Another prevalent danger is phishing, a deceptive technique employed by cybercriminals to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or financial details. Phishing attacks often masquerade as legitimate emails, text messages, or websites, carefully crafted to appear trustworthy and urgent.

Social engineering takes a more manipulative approach, exploiting human psychology to gain access to systems or information. This can involve manipulating individuals into revealing confidential data, clicking on malicious links, or granting unauthorized access.

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks represent a different kind of threat, aimed at overwhelming a target server or network with a flood of traffic, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users. This can cripple websites, online services, and even critical infrastructure.

As Dr. Hartono, a cybersecurity expert, aptly points out, “It’s crucial to spread awareness to help combat this growing threat to our collective cybersecurity.”

Protecting yourself in this digital age requires vigilance,awareness,and a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. Staying informed about the latest threats, practicing strong password hygiene, being cautious of suspicious emails and links, and utilizing robust security software are all essential steps in safeguarding your digital life.

Remember, vigilance is key. If something seems too good or too urgent to be true, it probably is. Stay informed, stay safe, and navigate the digital world with confidence.

What measures can individuals and organizations take to identify and avoid falling victim to deepfake scams?

Archyde presents: An Interview with Dr. Mauritania Hartono

Archyde Reporter (AR): Good day, Dr. Hartono. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today about the pressing issue of deepfakes and their growing impact on Indonesian society.

Dr. Mauritania Hartono (MH): Thank you for having me. I’m always eager to raise awareness about this alarming trend.

AR: Let’s dive right in. Could you explain what deepfakes are and why they pose such a notable threat, especially in Indonesia?

MH: Deepfakes are a byproduct of advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. They enable the manipulation of videos and audio with an astounding degree of realism. In Indonesia, deepfakes have become a formidable weapon for fraudsters, allowing them to impersonate prominent figures – from political leaders to corporate CEOs – to dupe unsuspecting victims.

AR: We’ve recently seen cases involving high-profile figures like president Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming raka.Can you walk us through how these scams operate?

MH: Certainly. Scammers frequently enough create convincing videos of these public figures, appearing to offer government assistance or financial aid. They use social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to spread these fabricated videos, enticing potential victims with captions that include WhatsApp numbers. once contact is made, victims are promised assistance, but only after paying an administrative fee – which, of course, turns out to be a scam.

AR: It’s shocking how sophisticated these operations have become. What can individuals and organizations do to protect themselves from falling victim to deepfake scams?

MH: Awareness and vigilance are key. Always double-check critically significant requests via an independant interaction channel. If a senior executive orders a money transfer or divulges sensitive data, ensure you verify their identity through a trusted channel. Additionally, regular training and simulations can definitely help employees recognize potential deepfake scams.

AR: What role do you see for law enforcement and tech companies in combating this threat?

MH: Law enforcement must prioritize training to stay updated on these rapidly evolving threats. tech companies should invest in robust detection tools and collaborate with law enforcement to swiftly remove deepfake content and identify perpetrators. We need a multi-pronged approach to tackle this issue effectively.

AR: Dr.Hartono, deepfakes aren’t going away anytime soon. What steps can we take to mitigate their impact in the long run?

MH: While it’s true that deepfakes are here to stay,we can minimize their impact through a combination of strategies: improving digital literacy,enhancing verification processes,and fostering international cooperation to share knowledge and best practices.By working together, we can build a more robust defense against deepfake threats.

AR: thank you, Dr. Hartono, for your insightful responses. Your expertise has certainly shed light on this complex issue.

MH: My pleasure. It’s crucial that we raise awareness about deepfakes and empower individuals and organizations to protect themselves. Thank you for this possibility to do so.