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s the number of netizens and cell phone owners continues to rise, online fraud and other kinds of cybercrimes are becoming more common. The increasing number of social media networks and the emergence of online forums, chat and email groups may lead to cybercrimes that trigger huge
money losses.

Jakarta Police chief detective Sr. Comr. Heru Pranoto told The Jakarta Post recently that victims of cyber-crimes should immediately file a report to the police for a rapid investigation and implementation of preventive measures.

According to data at the Communications and Information Ministry, some 82 million out of 253.6 million Indonesian citizens are active Internet users. Meanwhile, the ministry has registered over 270 million cell phones in the country, meaning that many persons use more than one cell phone.

'€œIf you do not file a police report, we won'€™t be able to block the phone numbers, email addresses, or shut down the destination bank account, to investigate a case,'€ Heru said.

A person who wishes to file a report with police about online fraud should also include evidence such as a transfer slip, or a printout of the online advertisement, he said.

The Jakarta Police recorded 1,120 police reports regarding online scams in 2011 and 2012.

The types of scam messages varied, but many involved fake online trading, feigned emergency or claims of a dire need of money.

Even receiving an email with an address from the police can be deceiving. Last year, the National Police, for instance, denied they had established the email address, cybercrime@pol-ri.go.id, for fielding complaints regarding online hoaxes, though this mail address had already been widely used online, as reported by kompas.com.

Mikhael Yosia, a medical intern, recently became a victim of a phishing scam and lost around Rp 180,000 (US$15.40) after he tried to buy a video game advertised on the online forum, kaskus.co.id.

'€œIt looked like the address of a true seller. So I sent a message and transferred some money. No receipt was given. I tried to contact the seller but to no avail. That made me suspicious,'€ he said.

After police declined to take action on a report Mikhael filed in 2009 that cost him Rp 700,000, he opted not to report a second case to the police.

Separately, University of Indonesia criminologist Adrianus Meliala said that the number of online fraud had been increasing because individuals were determined and the likelihood of being arrested was
quite small.

It is difficult for the authorities to track down those engaged in fraud because the evidence exists in
cyber-space.

He added that unlike other countries, Indonesia had yet to issue strict regulations regarding online fraud and cell phone fraud.

'€œNetizens and cell phone owners are easy targets of online fraud. They should learn about cybercrimes before using the Internet,'€ he said. (fss)