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BI uncovers fraud disguised as 'early loan settlement' assistance
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The logo of Bank Indonesia adorns the main gate of the bank's headquarters in Jakarta. (Antara/File)
B
ank Indonesia (BI) has revealed fraud disguised as early loan payment assistance using forged Bank Indonesia promissory notes (SBIs) and other monetary documents in several regions of the country.
BI West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) region head Prijono said he had received a letter from the central bank's headquarters warning about the emergence of such a crime. Several cases have been uncovered in Cirebon, West Java, and Yogyakarta.
"Fraud has emerged that exploits BI’s name. It has happened in several regions. The perpetrators lure victims by offering a service to settle bank loans before their due date. We urge people to be aware of this and not fall prey to it," he said in Mataram on Monday.
The perpetrators, he explained, used financial or consultancy firms that claimed to have the authority to release SBIs and other BI documents, promising early settlement of a victim's bank loan or non-performing loan.
In exchange for that, the victim is required to register as a member and pay an amount of money. "We assure you that the SBIs and other BI documents that they use are counterfeit. They only try to take profit from the victims, mostly debtors, by registering them as members," Prijono said.
He advised people to report to the police if approached by people offering the so-called assistance, stressing that the central bank would not bear responsibility for the crime. “BI in NTB is coordinating with the OJK [Financial Services Authority] and NTB Police to counter the crime,” Prijono said. (ags)
