Financial Crime World

Indonesia’s Largest Bank, BRI, Struggles with Hacker Attacks: Two Heartbreaking Stories of Financial Drain

Victims of Cybercrime in Indonesia: Nih Lu Putu Rustini and I Made Rai Dwi Ada Diatmika

Bali and Jakarta - Two Indonesian residents, Nih Lu Putu Rustini and I Made Rai Dwi Ada Diatmika, have recently faced the harsh reality of cybercrime after losing substantial savings from their accounts at Indonesia’s largest bank, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI).

Nih Lu Putu Rustini’s Shocking Experience

  • Worked as a cleaner during the day and a nanny at night
  • Had saved around $2,340 (37 million Indonesian rupiahs) for her ancestral home renovation project
  • Attempted to withdraw cash from an ATM, found her account balance almost at zero
  • A visit to her local BRI branch left her distraught, the hacked money could not be recovered

I Made Rai Dwi Ada Diatmika’s Ordeal

  • A leather goods manufacturer
  • Lost $4,650 (72 million Indonesian rupiahs) from his account in August 2023
  • Had not used the mobile app BRI had asked him to download three years prior

Indonesia: A Coveted Target for Cybercriminals

  • Fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia
  • Fifth-largest e-commerce sector in the world
  • One of the world’s largest sources and targets for cybercrime
  • 361 million online traffic anomalies between January and October 2023
  • Email account attacks increased by 85% during the third quarter of 2023
  • Ranks next to last among G20 countries for preventing and managing cyber threats

BRI’s Response

  • Remains silent about the number of account breaches involving customers
  • Follows internationally recognized cybersecurity standards
  • Utilizes artificial intelligence to detect fraudulent patterns and threats
  • Proactive measures hampered by under-resourcing in investigations

Victims’ Struggles

  • Both victims were financially drained, without their savings for renovations or unexpected expenses
  • Rustini was represented pro-bono by Ni Luh Arie Ratna Sukasari, a partner at law firm Malekat Hukum
  • Diatmika required a lawyer but couldn’t afford one given his current financial situation

The Future of Digital Security in Indonesia

With digital technology being a key driver of Indonesia’s growth, cybersecurity is crucial, but it still isn’t a priority. Cybersecurity expert Ardi Sutedja Kartawidjaya urged the need for more funding and resources for Indonesian authorities to investigate cybercrime effectively.

“The National Cyber and Encryption Agency had its budget cut from 2 trillion rupiahs to 100 billion rupiahs during the pandemic. The budget is now 600 billion rupiahs, but it still isn’t enough.” - Ardi Sutedja Kartawidjaya

As victims like Rustini and Diatmika continue to battle banks and cybercriminals, the future of digital security in Indonesia remains uncertain. The emphasis is on individuals to protect their personal and banking information while banks continue their efforts to strengthen their defenses against potential cyber threats.