The East Java Police Cyber Crime Unit has successfully dismantled a deepfake fraud operation that involved the manipulation of video footage from three prominent governors. The suspects are accused of using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to manipulate videos of East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Central Java Governor Ahmad Lutfie, and West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to promote fake motorcycle sales on social media.
During a press conference held on Monday, April 28, 2025, East Java Police Chief Nanang Avianto revealed that the fraud syndicate created deceptive videos of the governors offering motorcycles for just Rp 500,000 ($30) with no paperwork or cash on delivery, as part of a supposed government initiative. These videos were shared widely on TikTok, luring unsuspecting individuals into transferring money for the non-existent offer.
The suspects, identified as HMP (32), UP (24), and AH (34), all from Pangandaran Regency, West Java, used AI to alter the governors’ facial expressions, voices, and speech patterns, making the videos appear highly convincing. Over a period of five months, the syndicate reportedly made around Rp 86 million from the scam.
According to Chief Avianto, each suspect played a distinct role in the operation. HMP was responsible for creating fake TikTok accounts and editing the manipulated videos, while UP uploaded the altered content and provided bank accounts for the fraudulent transactions. AH acted as the intermediary, using WhatsApp to communicate with victims and facilitate the money transfers.
Authorities confiscated key evidence, including Rp 43 million in cash, multiple mobile phones, and a laptop. The suspects are facing charges under Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law of 2008, which could result in a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison and a fine of up to Rp 12 billion ($750,000).
This bust follows a similar deepfake fraud case that was uncovered the previous week, where National Police arrested two suspects, JS and AMA, who had used AI to impersonate President Prabowo Subianto and other officials in a separate scam involving fake endorsements for an aid registration scheme.
