2-3-2025 (JAKARTA) Sophisticated deepfake technology has transformed from a political tool to a criminal enterprise, with President Prabowo Subianto’s digital likeness becoming the unwitting face of widespread fraud.
“Who hasn’t received aid from me? What are your needs right now?” asks what appears to be President Prabowo, dressed in traditional Indonesian attire, in a deceptive Instagram video identified by authorities last month. This seemingly authentic appeal is part of an elaborate confidence trick that has victimised Indonesians across 20 provinces.
The fraudulent scheme, which police have begun dismantling, persuades victims to contact a WhatsApp number and transfer between 250,000 and one million rupiah as an “administrative fee” for financial assistance that never materialises. In February, authorities apprehended two suspects, one of whom had amassed 65 million rupiah through the deception.
“I need money, but instead I’m asked to send money. They even made video calls with me, as if I were talking directly to them,” lamented Aryani, a 56-year-old victim who transferred 200,000 rupiah after viewing a falsified video featuring a prominent Indonesian businessman.
The technological sophistication of these scams presents a formidable challenge. “We have started to see deepfake videos since last year as AI tools have become more accessible and affordable,” explains Aribowo Sasmito from Mafindo, an Indonesian fact-checking organisation. “We noticed the quality of these videos has improved over time. It has become more difficult to distinguish between fake and real videos.”
Despite police intervention, the digital deception continues unabated. An investigation by AFP’s fact-checkers revealed dozens of similar videos featuring various high-profile figures, including Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, remain in circulation. The fraudulent content appears particularly prevalent on TikTok, where at least 22 accounts promote these schemes under hashtags such as “Prabowo shares blessings.”
One particularly successful account amassed more than 77,000 followers and generated 7.5 million views on a fabricated video of President Prabowo ostensibly offering financial assistance. Another account has shared 100 videos since January alone, primarily featuring deepfaked footage of the president.
When contacted, TikTok confirmed removal of one deepfake video and its associated account, pledging to continue enforcement against content violating community guidelines that prohibit misleading posts. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, did not respond to enquiries.
This phenomenon extends beyond Indonesia, with international figures including tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau similarly targeted in sophisticated impersonation schemes designed to extract money from unsuspecting victims.
